An Equal Sacrifice

Good Morning,

Luke 21:1-4 (NIV)
As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

I read this verse today and suddenly remembered that I've actually seen this scenario in a few of the congregations where I've attended. I mean, I've notices that there are some who seem to dig deep at offering time and come up with only little to put into the that day's offering. My heart goes out to those people, I must say. I feel compassion for those who simply do not have much to give to their local church because I know how badly they feel when the see those who seem to be putting much into the offering. I can say I know badly they feel because, unfortunately, I've been in that situation in my life...where there was really very little to give and I felt terrible about it. I guess that's the human being in me. I know for certain that it isn't God making any kind of judgement about what I gave at any particular service. He was pleased with me, just as He is with everyone, who gives as they are led by the Holy Spirit.

Now, conversely to how I've felt about those who do not have the ability to give large amounts, I've noticed that there are people who shake their heads, roll their eyes, and otherwise seem callus toward people who give little. It's those folks who will have a difficult time when they face the King on that day, don't you think? I mean, how would you like to have to answer the questions, "Why were you so derisive toward my child on that day he gave all he had? Why were you so unkind?" I know I certainly wouldn't want to have to answer that.

Jesus certainly made a marvelous point when He pointed out that the poor widow had really put into the offering much more than any of the rich folks did. It's certainly something that all of us need to think about.

When I attended Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Nevada, there was something that happened there which has stayed with me all these years. They had a fund raising to build a new building. Something that was stressed during that time, and printed up on many items, was: "Not equal giving, but equal sacrifice." You see what I mean here? There are those of us who perhaps don't have much of an income...perhaps working at below standard wage jobs or on Social Security...but we do all we can to support our local churches as we well should. Then, there are those of us who have large and even very large incomes...maybe they've been blessed with a successful business or have landed that great 6 figure plus job...and they seem, sometimes, to be rather reticent to giving their "equal sacrifice" to their local churches.

Like the widow that Jesus saw give her "very small copper coins" some of us give out of our daily bread; out of what we might want to spend on groceries. Think for a moment if you aren't in that group. Think about YOUR "equal sacrifice".

Hmmmm?

Love, peace, and blessings,

David