I was reading today about the day Jesus watched people give in the offering, Luke 21.  After observing the wealthy and then a poor widow, here’s what Jesus had to say: “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

I was struck by Jesus’ statement and immediately began to do inventory of my own giving patterns.  Whether it be my money, as in this story, or other things, like my time, my attention, my prayers, my care… I wonder how often I measure what I give to Jesus and others by the ’surplus’ in my life… rather than giving all freely.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with living with budgets and good time management skills… however, we need to watch the heart attitudes that drive our decisions.  Budgets and calendars shouldn’t define our lives and limit our generosity.  They are tools that we use, which should facilitate more generosity rather than selfishness.  

There’s an area of grace that we tap into, when we give from our whole lives, rather than just the surplus.  As Paul says in Philippians 4, Hands empty, hands full, I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.  I can live in plenty and want, and nothing really changes, because it all is His and everything I am is His.   

Blessings,

Becky