Luke 21:1-4; NKJ
1. And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.[a] 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings [b]for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”
Note: 2 mites equal 1/64 of a days wage, in the time of Jesus.
If a person has traveled to a 3rd world country. They would see the extreme poverty. Then setting foot into the USA, you will exclaim, how blessed I am!
So, what else happens to you?
I write from experiences. I think you realize this by now.
Research for fact, is how to gain knowledge. Any scholar will recommend this. It is how to discover truth. Life experiences usually makes grey hair. Hardships lived personally or viewed gives endurance. This especially creates a closer bond to God
i will admit I have struggles, self doubt at times, selfish thoughts. I have not met a person without it. It’s the human makeup.
i admit I’ve eaten out of garbage cans. Lived in a car. Pain makes me review self and observe others needs. Growth comes from negativity. Sharing from Christian standpoint.
i picture the widow, old and hunched over. Dressed in black. Shuffling as she walked. Maybe a quick prayer, before dropping the coins into the collection box.
A widow, makes me wonder. Who cares for her?
I recall seeing an old lady in the city square of Kiev Ukraine. There she was selling 6 homegrown potatoes. Face worn, wrinkled brow, showing worry. She didn’t wear warm clothes for winter. There she sat, hugging herself, hoping. Half a block away, a fast food restaurant is her competition.
2 Churches in Indonesia, I remember. One church using plastic as a roof. The other church, a condemned building. The rain washed away the land. The church, ready to slide down mountain terrain. Yet people hungry for God, gathered. Not in a condemned building, but they gathered.
A Brazilian church closing its doors because it can’t pay rent. The congregation is so poor, that the pastor doesn’t have the heart and ask for tithe. The congregation help each other out. Giving to one another, whatever is needed. These Christians even give their mites to God’s church.
Families in central America make homes out of young trees, mud and plastic sheets. Some have tin roofs. Whatever these people find, for building materials. That’s what they use. Children playing in the mud. They don’t even have proper clothing. None have shoes.
A woman and her daughter in South America, kicked out in the streets because there’s not enough food or love.
I am not making these scenes up. I’ve seen it with my eyes. They are our real brothers and sisters. My heart breaks just thinking about them. God hears their cries. Jesus sees them.
This a burden I see. A burden that I want to relieve.
Family, friends you don’t have to be missionaries to help. I do recommend a short term journey, to open hearts.
Here’s how we start. Praying for these people. Give to a relief organization. Red cross is reputable.
The widow gave 2 mites. Which represents her everything. We don’t know her experience to get to the point where she could give all. I believe it was tramatic.
The truth is, only God knows where your heart is. Ask Him where it needs fixing. Instead of judging and making excuses, pray for one another.
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
God bless
Called 4 Jesus 