Several years ago, I was talking about giving a tithe and other freewill offerings to God. Jonathan wanted to know why we didn’t give everything, and he meant everything, to God. I told him that God doesn’t need our money, and it really doesn’t bring God glory to have us give everything away and become street people, a burden for someone else.
“What about,” Jonathan persisted, “the widow who gave all she had?”
Although mentally Jonathan put up a huge stop sign for me, I elaborated on how we can use the talents God has given us, put our money to work so that more people are exposed to the truth of Christ than if we gave everything away and then had to rely on someone else to meet our needs. He walked away satisfied, I think, but I was left with questions. Does God want me to give everything away? Do I trust Him to meet my needs if I did? Would I really be willing to give up everything if I knew that was God’s will for me? Or am I too comfortable where I am now? Am I trusting in material things and the deceitulness of riches? What about the widow and her mite? Jesus commended her!!
Weeks later, I put the whole thing into a different frame, and at once became much more comfortable - and uneasy simultaneously.
What I told Jonathan is true: God does not need our money. And even if we gave Him all of it, and all of our material possessions, that’s not really what He’s after. Our loving Heavenly Father wants us to willingly give Him our lives, our allegiance, our wills, our hearts. He wants us to take every thought captive to Jesus Christ. He wants us to live our lives with a heart that submits to Him as Lord and Master - in everything. That’s our widow’s mite.
Without Jesus Christ, we are poor and wretched and blind. She gave, in her poverty, everything. We, in our poverty, must give all that we are to Jesus Christ. And, you know what? It’s an every day offering, not just a one-time commitment at baptism. You see, the less we have of Christ, the more desitute we are. Conversely, the more Christ fills our lives, the more we owe Him.
It does not mean, either, that we sigh a breath of relief that we don’t have to give God all of our material wealth. For truly, if you are in complete submission to His will, if you’ve willingly put all that you have and are in His hands, then you will use all of your material possessions to His glory, for His service, no matter where He leads you. What we have is not ours; it’s all a gift from God. We’re merely stewards and caretakers.
Do you realize why I said I felt at once much more comfortable - and simultaneously uneasy? While at once knowing that God doesn’t expect me to give up all of His gifts, He really wants all of me, which includes being willing to give up those gifts. It is so hard to submit my will to my Lord. I want to be in charge.
“What about,” Jonathan persisted, “the widow who gave all she had?”
Although mentally Jonathan put up a huge stop sign for me, I elaborated on how we can use the talents God has given us, put our money to work so that more people are exposed to the truth of Christ than if we gave everything away and then had to rely on someone else to meet our needs. He walked away satisfied, I think, but I was left with questions. Does God want me to give everything away? Do I trust Him to meet my needs if I did? Would I really be willing to give up everything if I knew that was God’s will for me? Or am I too comfortable where I am now? Am I trusting in material things and the deceitulness of riches? What about the widow and her mite? Jesus commended her!!
Weeks later, I put the whole thing into a different frame, and at once became much more comfortable - and uneasy simultaneously.
What I told Jonathan is true: God does not need our money. And even if we gave Him all of it, and all of our material possessions, that’s not really what He’s after. Our loving Heavenly Father wants us to willingly give Him our lives, our allegiance, our wills, our hearts. He wants us to take every thought captive to Jesus Christ. He wants us to live our lives with a heart that submits to Him as Lord and Master - in everything. That’s our widow’s mite.
Without Jesus Christ, we are poor and wretched and blind. She gave, in her poverty, everything. We, in our poverty, must give all that we are to Jesus Christ. And, you know what? It’s an every day offering, not just a one-time commitment at baptism. You see, the less we have of Christ, the more desitute we are. Conversely, the more Christ fills our lives, the more we owe Him.
It does not mean, either, that we sigh a breath of relief that we don’t have to give God all of our material wealth. For truly, if you are in complete submission to His will, if you’ve willingly put all that you have and are in His hands, then you will use all of your material possessions to His glory, for His service, no matter where He leads you. What we have is not ours; it’s all a gift from God. We’re merely stewards and caretakers.
Do you realize why I said I felt at once much more comfortable - and simultaneously uneasy? While at once knowing that God doesn’t expect me to give up all of His gifts, He really wants all of me, which includes being willing to give up those gifts. It is so hard to submit my will to my Lord. I want to be in charge.
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