So Little; So Much
Today’s scripture selection: Luke 21-22
Key Verses: Luke 21:1-4
I love the story of the widow’s mite.
In fact, I actually own one – or at least the same kind of coin – from the time when Jesus’ lived. It was given to me by a friend years ago. It is so tiny; just a small bit of copper with the face of a long forgotten ruler on one side. Every time I look at it I think of Jesus’ words:
“Truly I tell you, 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.”
I admit that this little coin from Jesus’ time also makes me feel a little guilty. How many times have I given rather reluctantly? How many times have I held back a bit because of my own insecurity or rationalization?
It’s not a popular thing for preachers to talk about money – though there are plenty on the T.V. and radio that do.
Talk too much about it and pretty soon someone is sure to accuse, or at least wonder, if the preacher might not be using religion to line his or her own pockets. And of course, sadly, some do that too.
But it’s a subject we shouldn’t shy away from.
Our world is so broken; there is so much need.
And we, or at least most of us, have so much.
So here’s to the widow who a long time ago gave “out of her poverty” to remind us that most times we can give more than we do.
Because, even 2,000 years after she and her Lord lived – the poor are still poor; the outcast are still outcast; the hungry still go to bed hungry at night – and the need – so much need, is still there.
Prayer: Lord, fill my heart with generosity so that others in need may benefit. AMEN.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
By Paul Simrell
The Reverend Paul W. Simrell has served for over thirty years in a variety of congregational and institutional settings. He is a recognized minister with standing in the Virginia region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and is nationally endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for specialized ministry in both pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Ordained in 1982, he has served congregations in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. He currently serves as the pastor of Elpis Christian Church, a small, historic congregation located just a few miles west of Richmond, Virginia. Elpis is the Greek word meaning “expectant hope.” He also serves on the associate clinical staff of the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Richmond, Virginia, both as a pastoral counselor and a ministerial assessment specialist, specializing in executive, clergy and relationship coaching. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and Lexington Theological Seminary and has done advanced clinical training in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor, an ACPE Practitioner, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment and skills-building program and served as a volunteer chaplain for over twenty years with the CJW Medical Center campuses in Richmond, Virginia. His avocational interests include playing the piano and drawing. He is very happily married to his wife Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell, a free-lance writer, who is also a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich program.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
View all of Paul Simrell's posts.
IGW3 - In God's Word, In God's Will, In God's Work 