God is the provider of all our needs. Be encouraged by a woman who gave all she had.
Luke 21:1 – 4
The widow’s offering
21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 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 find this story incredibly challenging yet encouraging at the same time. Challenging because it causes me to consider whether I am giving until it hurts. Encouraging because this woman shows incredible faith and dependency on God and this encourages me to do the same.
We should all be challenged by Jesus words here in Luke. We will always struggle against our flesh – our flesh that wants to gather up riches on earth. Some of us struggle with this a lot, and others not so much. I know of both kinds of people. So, consider whether you are giving until it hurts.
This challenge may cause you to become anxious. It makes me anxious, but then I look back and see how God has looked after me and graciously provided for me in my times of need. We also can look to people the woman with her two very small copper coins. In giving all she had to live on she must have incredible trust that God will provide for her. That is incredible faith. We need to stop striving to look after ourselves and strive to be utterly dependant on God.
Does this mean we must give away all that we have? To be completely honest I’m not sure, but I do know that I must not hold onto my money and possessions as if they are my right to have them. While I have something, I will try my best to be wise with it, but in the end, it belongs to God and if he has another use for it then I must be willing to part with it.
I am also reminded of the fact that all my needs have met in Jesus death and resurrection. I could have nothing, starve and die, but I would still be safe in our saviour for eternity.
“Help us
not be haste when it comes to temporal blessings
And always see them
for what they’re actually meant to be
A mere extension of
Your love and kindness Extended to an undeserved humanity
Help us not see
greater value in the gifts You give
And not become
distracted from their intended desires
May we regard the
world and all that is in it
As nothing compared
to the satisfaction of knowing Our Messiah.”
Messiah – Beautiful Eulogy
Head: Do you give until it hurts?
Heart: Are you dependent on God to provide your needs?
Hands: How can you use your money and possessions to bless others?
Prayer:
Lord, I admit that I often trust in my money to provide for me. Please help me to remember that all good things come from you including my money. Help me to be dependent on you for my needs. Thank you that my ultimate need has been provided for. Thank you for dealing with my sin so that I can spend an eternity with you.
Amen
A song to listen to: Messiah – Beautiful Eulogy
Celina Fyffe
Living Church – Creek Road
