A Christmas Heart

“And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So, He said, ‘Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.’” Luke 21:1-4 ESV

“Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.” ― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Never thought it would happen to me. Widow. I am not in the straits the poor widow in the above verse was, but money has flown out of my hands with my husband’s illness and death. My life will never be the same, and the financial freedom is gone too. I remember a Christian/recovered alcoholic speaker, with a lump in his throat and wet eyes, who cautioned about money. He found the love of his life, they married, and a short time later, she was diagnosed with cancer, and their money was gone. In a flash, she was gone too. He never saved money again. He picked up what little he owned along with his shattered heart and started helping addicts. That’s the last I heard of him. But he still gave. He still had priceless gifts to give, even though he was shattered. He trusted God that “all things work for good for those who love him.” I believe our Father redeemed his pain now and eternally.

Jesus personified giving with gratitude and trust. He had nothing and yet everything. He still gives from his abundant treasure. His mercies are new every morning.

He gave from the heart. These are challenging times for so many of us, but realize you have so much to offer! It may be welcoming arms, an attentive ear, an encouraging word, running errands, or time. Priceless! The fullness we receive is priceless, too!  Cast your bread and watch the return. (Ecclesiastes 11:1)

Musings

When cash is flush, life is smooth, and sunshine is everywhere, it’s easy to be generous. In fact, that’s the time I’m most thankful and giving. It’s easy to give from abundance. When dark and lean times come, and they do, the fanatical clutching of money, things, and property is an overwhelming temptation. We lose sleep, anxiety is constant, and control rears its ugly head.  Our tempers lash out. We forget there are many ways to give. We forget that our Father is generous. “We can trust the man who died for us.”

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for your son, more precious than gold.

Thank you that he became poor so we could be rich.

 Thank you that he died so we could live.

Thank you for our daily bread.

Thank you for our families, friends, and courageous leaders.

Thank you for being faithful, even when we can only scrape up a mustard seed of faith.

Open our eyes and hearts to see how generous you are and with faith that considers the more we give, the more we receive—“Pressed down and flowing over.”

Amen.