True religion

Mark 12 : 38 - 44

....this poor widow has put in more.......

I watched an Oprah show the other day - just happened to tune in to a special gift show - must have been recorded at the end of last year, near Christmas. Oprah was giving away gifts and more gifts, from books to clothes to sandwich makers to refrigerators. Of course the audience was wild with excitement, as each gift was unveiled and delivered to them by special FedEx staff. The audience were screaming, jumping and clapping. I was thinking "This is too good to be true!" But it was - a real, 'live' show.

It is indeed wonderful when the wealthy are also generous with what they have. In this world, there are many, many people who are willing to, as Jesus said, "contribute out of their abundance". It may not always be easy to do so, but perhaps it is probably not too hard either. There is always the 'reward' (whether one expects it or not) of being recognized and applauded for the significant contributions made.

The poor widow in Jesus' story stands out in sharp contrast. For "she, out of her poverty, has put in everything she had...." She modeled true faith because she gave with a loving, sacrificial and generous spirit. Yet this step of faith must have been a 'difficult' choice, at some point, as she had so little herself.

As I hear this story anew today, I am deeply challenged to ask God for the grace of gratitude and a simple trust in him. I know how I can over rationalize things, how I make choices more difficult than they need be. The crux of the matter is, as Jesus pointed out, the freedom of spirit that gives generously - however insignificant it may be quantitatively. The amount or size of the gift does not matter as much as the motive behind it. To be a cheerful giver at all times - to give even when it hurts........is a mark of true religion.