Getting Close

How giving are you?

Do you give from your abundance or from your need?

He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.' - Luke 21:1-4

I can think of only two reasons one would give all they had to God.  Either they have total faith that He will provide for them, or they are giving up and preparing to die.

Would Jesus have used her as an example of giving if she was giving up?

At first I would say no, but maybe that was exactly what he was doing.  He was not only making a point about the rich who could afford to give more, but also about the Temple Treasury which was supposed to be used to help widows and orphans.

If this widow was giving up, it was because all the money going into the treasury was failing to find its way to her.

I believe the real message Jesus was trying to get his disciples to hear was one of compassion and personal involvement.  When we give at arm's length, leaving it to others to make the connection to those in need, we miss an opportunity to be loving.

The Priests and Scribes created a system that dealt with the needy for the congregation, keeping them at a distance.  The rich never have to come in contact with the poor, so they never feel compassion the way they would if they touched them and ate with them.

Jesus wanted his disciples to get close and personal, and I believe that is what our call is as well.  Until we come to know our neighbor on a personal level, we will never feel compelled to give from the heart, as we would to a friend or family member.

So, today, I ask that we all try to get close and personal.  It may be a much more rewarding experience than we would imagine.  We may just keep someone from giving up.

More to come...