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Serving and giving are two verbs that describe the essence of the Christian life.<\/strong> I wish this weren\u2019t true because I have trouble with both of these. Serving is something I have expected others to do for me, and giving is something I often put off until I have more. My warped thinking goes something like this: When I have enough to spare, I will be more than happy to be a generous person. You will never have seen such a generous person! In fact, I will break the bank on generosity \u2014 just you wait and see \u2014 as long as I have enough left over for my needs. And since I rarely have enough for my own needs that means I don\u2019t have to worry about this giving stuff.<\/p>\n Right about now, some of you are thinking that I\u2019m not a very spiritual guy. Well, I don\u2019t know about how spiritual I am; I\u2019m just being honest. This idea of characterizing my life by giving and serving is hard. It\u2019s not an easy thing to serve and give when you are thinking about yourself all the time.<\/p>\n Jesus went over to the collection box in the Temple and sat and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two pennies. He called his disciples to him and said, \u201d<\/p>\n I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has<\/strong><\/em>.\u201d Mark 12:41-44<\/strong><\/span> (NLT)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n This widow blows a big hole in my excuse theory, doesn\u2019t she? She simply gave what she had. She wasn\u2019t waiting for anything. Actually, according to Jesus, giving and receiving works opposite to what we naturally think. We think, \u201cOnce I receive, I will start giving<\/strong><\/em>.\u201d Jesus always said,<\/p>\n \u201cGive and you will receive. Be faithful with the little that you have and I will give you more<\/strong><\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n A widow once brought a paltry little offering to the temple, but in Jesus\u2019 economy, she out gave the wealthy, because she gave all she had.<\/p>\n Lord, make the subject of my thinking someone other than me for a change. Make me aware of others. Help me to think about those around me before I think of myself. And help me to learn to give, not like the great philanthropists whose wealth I so often envy, but like this poor widow, who, according to you, knew the true measure of giving.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Question:<\/strong> What are some ways that you can encourage yourself to give more freely?<\/p>\n by John Fischer<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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