Giving Niceness

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. (Mark 12: 42 – 44)

Yesterday, I took a father and his disabled daughter for assistance to get a wheelchair and met with this challenge I am sharing here.

I me two friends who were cheerfully helping these throngs with disability access the assistance they had come for.

But that is not where it stops.

(And you will allow me to leave out their names because as you know about me, I never want to interfere with their reward in heaven by giving you an opportunity to applaud them)

Another reason, though not as powerful, is that I have not told them I am sharing this since I know they will not want to be feted in such a way or forum.

One was called from a place far from the city to participate in the exercise, and I am almost sure he was not being paid. He was invited because he had access to persons with disability through his involvement with them over the years.

I have seen him serving in church for years with a disability that is so obvious and limiting yet doesn’t seem disturbed with those common falls his condition occasions. He will get up and continue serving as if nothing had happened.

The second, apart from having a disability, is also facing huge health challenges.

Yet, there they were, serving with a cheerfulness that was infectious.

It is a giving that can only be coming from the heart.

It is a giving that goes beyond giving things or service but a giving of self.

Many people only give what they have. But these were giving who they were.

Like the poor widow, they were giving all their living.

Treat this short message as a challenge

How do you give? What do you give?

And it encompasses all, from offerings to charity to supporting ministry.

This because to God, the only giving that gets His applause is the one originating from a sold-out heart that sacrifices who they are through what and how they give.

My prayer is that our giving will meet God’s threshold.