Jesus looked up
and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor
widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor
widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their
abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:1-4).
There is little else that gives a better glimpse into the heart of a
person than a look into their bank account or wallet. Why is money such a
delicate and dynamic issue for people? I believe it’s because money is a
significant measure of our performance and status. If we work 40 hours and earn
$400 then ten of those dollars equals an hour of our life. But if we are born
again, we are no longer of this world… “They are not of the world, just as I am not
of the world” (John 17:16). We are not subject to the judgments and
standards of the world. We are growing up into the much higher and eternal
standards of the kingdom of God. In the shadow of the boastful and noisy giving
of the rich, Jesus drew attention to a poor widow, and He challenged His
followers to take a step closer to true discipleship by observing and imitating
from her, the generosity that exposes our heart.
Maturing disciples give out of our prosperity. Evidence that
Christ lives in our heart is an increasing apprehension of our true spiritual
prosperity. The poor widow’s generosity was not hindered by the earthly living
expenses of today. As our faith grows we draw closer to Jesus. The Spirit
inspired Paul to reveal to us that true disciples are actually sitting next to
Christ in heaven… “(God) raised us up with him and seated us with him in
the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). Our generosity is
a sign to others that we are not of this world. We are not living for today but
we live in anticipation of a more glorious future in heaven… “Fear not,
little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell
your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that
do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no
thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will
your heart be also” (Luke 12:32-34). As we grow in faith our generosity
proclaims that we’re rich and storing up treasure in heaven.
Growing disciples give out of our poverty. Evidence that Christ
has transformed our heart is a growing perception of our true natural poverty. The
widow was very aware of her financial distress. In giving “all she had to
live on” the poor widow revealed that in her heart she was trusting her
entire life and well-being to the Lord… “In his hand is the life of every
living thing and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:10). Despite the
noisy commotion raised by the wealthy, this act of faith caught the attention
of the Son of God. The Holy Spirit affirms that giving out of poverty is always
a worthy mark of true discipleship… “We want you to know, brothers, about
the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a
severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty
have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave
according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their
own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of
the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the
Lord and then by the will of God to us” (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). As we
grow in the faith we recognize that God has entrusted us with little or much to
help us grow in generosity, and with Him, little is always much.
Diligent disciples give out of our passion. Evidence that Christ
fills our heart is a passion for His people and His work. As our fellowship
with Christ deepens, we become more like Him. The love and compassion that
compelled Him to come to earth conquers our heart and compels us to give and to
serve like He did… “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have
concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died
for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him
who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). As we
grow in the faith His passion within us increases our generosity.
As we grow up into Christ, we become a clearer reflection of Christ as
we grow in…
The Generosity that Exposes Our Heart.
No comments:
Post a Comment