Jaw-dropping Jewels about Jesus
Rarely does Jesus, God the Son, do exactly what we expect of Him. It seems odd that He so frequently surprises us, given that He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 makes this absolute statement: “Jesus the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Still, though He is blessedly consistent in His goodness, Jesus does unforeseen things. Even when He does what is expected, He does not always do it in the way that we anticipate. Let us join with Jesus on a jaw-dropping journey. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
The account of the poor widow is compelling and convicting: “And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And He [Jesus] 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 hath 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). It must have been a temptation to give one small coin instead of two, for that would have been a 50% commitment. My wife and I have given around that percentage some years, but we have never given 100%! Last month in one of these studies, we touched upon giving in general. Let us briefly consider four principles of financial contributions to God’s work. First, we need an appropriate attitude: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7). Second, we must see our support as an expression of who we are, like the believers in Corinth who “first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (II Corinthians 8:5). Third, we are to give regularly: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store” (I Corinthians 16:2a). Some give monthly because of how they budget. I know of one large church where the wealthiest individuals pledge a certain annual amount so that the church can plan ahead; these folks then give the full amount at the beginning of the fiscal year so that these substantial sums are readily available for use. All regular giving is Biblical. Fourth, we give as God (not man!) directs: “As God hath prospered him” (II Corinthians 16:2b). The amount and percentage that we give will vary; God will place on our hearts what we are to do. There are other verses that we could also consider, but these four principles will help us as we give wisely and worshipfully.