I tell you the truth, he said, "this poor widow
has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of
their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
(Luke 21:3, 4)
Sacrifice
is a difficult word for most of us to really understand. In our culture of
plenty, we have been able to do it all. We have given to charity and we have
purchased that new car. We have given time to volunteer and we have gone to the
movies. We have helped a neighbor and watched the football game.
Jesus
showed His eternal value system when He lifted up the widow and her small gift.
He knew that the others gave out of their abundance, but she gave out of her
poverty. So when He saw someone give sacrificially, He honored it. Eternally,
Jesus was trying to show His disciples and others that the offering is valued based
on the loyalties of the heart.
When
we give a half-hour to volunteer and rush home to watch the football game, we
have revealed our loyalties. That gift of service was cheap because it did not
require us to give up anything. But if we give up watching our favorite television
program because a friend needs to talk, then we have sacrificed something, and Jesus
confirms our service as an act of worship.
How
has God challenged you to sacrifice for your faith?
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