Giving

"As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 'Truly I tell you,' 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.'" 

- Luke 21:1-4

This story is so simple, yet so profound. Anna and I studied this passage with missionary (doctor) Rebekah the Saturday before we came back from Uganda. Ever since then, God has been really challenging me with this passage. Over the summer, I reread 1 & 2 Samuel and I was reminded that God does not look at our outward appearance, but He looks at our heart. And in this passage, again, we see that Jesus does not focus on the outward appearance, but He looks into our hearts. This widow had two small copper coins, which are equivalent to around two pennies. Although what she gave was worth so little, her action pleased Jesus. She gave all that she had to live on and had no idea where her next funds were coming from. I believe her action was a declaration of trust in the Lord's providence. On the contrast, all the other "people gave their gifts out of their wealth..." I realized that it's quite different to give out of your wealth and to give, so that you go without. I, too, like to give out of my wealth because when you have plenty, it's easy to give. But what is it like when you don't have much? Giving is not so much about what you have, but about the condition of your heart. I believe giving all that you have because you trust the Lord - this is the kind of giving that moves God's heart. I don't know about you, but I want to move Jesus' heart. How amazing would that be? Giving doesn't necessarily have to be associated with money, but it can be your talents, time, effort, etc. But before we do all these things, let's have our hearts right before God. Although people may see all the things we do outwardly, He sees the motivation in our hearts.

Another thing that I read last week that's I've been thinking about is - "The Christian life is personal, but is not private." As Christians, we live in context of a community and as much as we have a personal relationship with Jesus, I realized it's important to share with others what God is teaching you. Through this, we can encourage and be encouraged.