Post by Cindy on Mar 15, 2016 12:15:16 GMT -5
I was studying the widow's offering today and it really touched me. I'd love to be just like her, but in studying it I realized that it was speaking about more then just money. Jesus was showing us a picture of what it looks like to have God first in your heart and life. This poor widow didn't drag her feet over to the temple and glumly put in her little coins. She was full of joy, and I'd be willing to bet that her joy was the joy of the Lord, which is our strength. She gave that little bit of money without any thought of what she might be able to buy with it to keep her in food that day. She hadn't sat at home trying to figure out what she should do first. She went to the temple, which I'm sure was her habit, not a one time thing, and gave up that money, which I'm again sure was also a habit with her. She did it knowing that the Lord would provide for her. She didn't just believe it, or hope He would, she knew He would. What she didn't realize, was that He was sitting right there watching her, and that He would record her actions for all time in His Word. (what a marvelous way to reward her!)
As I reflected on the story, I also realized that she did exactly what Paul tells us all to do in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Peter tells us something similar: “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11) Jesus showed us in this little story how God views what we offer Him. He doesn't look at the amount, He looks at what's left over; He looks at what it cost us to give it, for that's what shows how we really feel about Him. Nor is this just about money. It's about serving God and glorifying Him by our words and actions no matter what we're doing or saying. It's about how we honor Him with our lives. It makes me think of that Christmas song about the little drummer boy who had nothing to give baby Jesus so he gave Him his heart, and that's what Jesus really wants most of all. This poor widow had quite obviously given the Lord her God her whole heart; not just a piece of it; and because she had, she was able to also give Him all her money as well. She's the kind of person who would take her shoes off (if she had any) and give them to someone else who needed them, because she knew that the Lord would see to her needs and that her job was to see to the needs of others. And that's exactly what Jesus tells us to do all through His Word.
We're to be so sure of Him, so trusting in Him, that we can give to others whatever we have, regardless of how badly we may think we need it, because we know that He will take care of our need. That's why we're told over and over to love and to give sacrificially. Most folks will give up to that point, but not go over it. They'll give whatever they don't need, but wouldn't consider giving what they think they desperately need themselves. Yet that's what this poor widow did. Her giving showed her love, trust and faith in her God. Shouldn't ours as well?
And what do we give? Certainly we all give money, that's normally what we think of, but what else can or should we give. Remember, God tells us through both Paul and Peter that we're to do everything for God's glory. That means literally everything. That means that when we're busy (like Martha), and someone comes to us in need, we stop, and help them, whether they just need someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, or something material to be given to them. When we speak to our children or our spouse, or anyone, that our words should be words that bring honor to God, and never words that would cause Him to be ashamed, for we represent Him to everyone in our lives. Whether it's the postman, the grocer, our boss, our children, spouse, a stranger, neighbor, or whoever. Our goal should be to make our lives a living sacrifice to the Lord who loves us enough to die for us and rise again so we can live. Our lives don't belong to us anymore, they belong to Him, and should look like they do.
I'm pretty much housebound and often feel "left out" or like there's nothing I can do to honor God, but I know that's not true, it's what Satan would like me to think. The Lord has given me my portion, my life didn't come about accidentally or through coincidence. God is in control, therefore I'm right where He wants me. Even though I'm often alone, it doesn't mean that I can't honor God with my life. He sees all that I do, whether it's cleaning my house, cooking supper, washing dishes or laundry. He sees the people that do stop by once in awhile and how I speak to them, and He knows how I speak to those who call on the phone. He knows how I treat my husband and our cats, and what I do for them. Most of all, He knows what's in my heart and what my words and actions are really saying about Him. I know He has a purpose for me, and that part of that purpose is taking place every day. I may not see or understand it, but I don't have to. All I have to know is that He loves me and I can trust Him. Then, I can make everything I do and say for everyone in my home and all I come in contact with, a service to Him.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)
“and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)
As I reflected on the story, I also realized that she did exactly what Paul tells us all to do in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Peter tells us something similar: “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11) Jesus showed us in this little story how God views what we offer Him. He doesn't look at the amount, He looks at what's left over; He looks at what it cost us to give it, for that's what shows how we really feel about Him. Nor is this just about money. It's about serving God and glorifying Him by our words and actions no matter what we're doing or saying. It's about how we honor Him with our lives. It makes me think of that Christmas song about the little drummer boy who had nothing to give baby Jesus so he gave Him his heart, and that's what Jesus really wants most of all. This poor widow had quite obviously given the Lord her God her whole heart; not just a piece of it; and because she had, she was able to also give Him all her money as well. She's the kind of person who would take her shoes off (if she had any) and give them to someone else who needed them, because she knew that the Lord would see to her needs and that her job was to see to the needs of others. And that's exactly what Jesus tells us to do all through His Word.
We're to be so sure of Him, so trusting in Him, that we can give to others whatever we have, regardless of how badly we may think we need it, because we know that He will take care of our need. That's why we're told over and over to love and to give sacrificially. Most folks will give up to that point, but not go over it. They'll give whatever they don't need, but wouldn't consider giving what they think they desperately need themselves. Yet that's what this poor widow did. Her giving showed her love, trust and faith in her God. Shouldn't ours as well?
And what do we give? Certainly we all give money, that's normally what we think of, but what else can or should we give. Remember, God tells us through both Paul and Peter that we're to do everything for God's glory. That means literally everything. That means that when we're busy (like Martha), and someone comes to us in need, we stop, and help them, whether they just need someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, or something material to be given to them. When we speak to our children or our spouse, or anyone, that our words should be words that bring honor to God, and never words that would cause Him to be ashamed, for we represent Him to everyone in our lives. Whether it's the postman, the grocer, our boss, our children, spouse, a stranger, neighbor, or whoever. Our goal should be to make our lives a living sacrifice to the Lord who loves us enough to die for us and rise again so we can live. Our lives don't belong to us anymore, they belong to Him, and should look like they do.
I'm pretty much housebound and often feel "left out" or like there's nothing I can do to honor God, but I know that's not true, it's what Satan would like me to think. The Lord has given me my portion, my life didn't come about accidentally or through coincidence. God is in control, therefore I'm right where He wants me. Even though I'm often alone, it doesn't mean that I can't honor God with my life. He sees all that I do, whether it's cleaning my house, cooking supper, washing dishes or laundry. He sees the people that do stop by once in awhile and how I speak to them, and He knows how I speak to those who call on the phone. He knows how I treat my husband and our cats, and what I do for them. Most of all, He knows what's in my heart and what my words and actions are really saying about Him. I know He has a purpose for me, and that part of that purpose is taking place every day. I may not see or understand it, but I don't have to. All I have to know is that He loves me and I can trust Him. Then, I can make everything I do and say for everyone in my home and all I come in contact with, a service to Him.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)
“and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)
!!
