He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mark 12:21-44 New American Bible translation)
I read this scripture passage in preparation for mass today. As I contemplated its meaning, I realized it was not simply about tithing or giving of our money. It was more than that – it was about giving of ourselves for the greater glory of God! Wow! As I continued to give it more thought, I was reminded of the words T.V. evangelist, Joel Osteen, uses as he ends his sermons. He says: “Keep God first place, and He will take you places you’ve never dreamed of.” How true that is in my own life. When we put God first in our lives, with intentions that are pure, He rewards us in ways you wouldn’t believe. If you have a hard time believing it, think of how you feel when your own children follow your rules and instructions. Do you not want to show them how much you appreciate their obedience – by taking them to their favorite place, buying them something they’ve wanted for a long time, basically just giving them whatever their little hearts desire? Then how much more will God do for you in appreciation of your obedience – He’s creator of the universe for goodness sake!
How do I relate? Eleven years ago I moved to a new neighborhood and became a member of the parish there. For the first year or so, I was what I considered an “observer.” I showed up on Sunday and THAT’S IT! I was working full time and convinced myself that I didn’t have much “extra-time.” For some reason, the more I went to church, the more I was prompted to get involved – soooo…make a long story short, I volunteered for one ministry and that snow balled into my eventually volunteering for 8 different ministries – 1 of which I spear-headed.
The reason I tell this story is to highlight two different points: the first is : My “being” in church – physically being present – was a huge contributing factor in my spiritual transformation. I hear people often say “that church didn’t do it for me”, “I didn’t feel anything”, “that pastor doesn’t give good sermons” – have no fear people, you may not “feel” it right now because your heart is not open to receive it, but believe me God is working overtime to mold you into the person He created you to be. So please don’t lose faith, remain steadfast, there’s more work to be done.
My second point is this: I don’t know how I found the time to attend meetings, participate in ministry and prepare for all the things I needed to prepare while maintaining a stressful full-time job and tending to my household. I didn’t have much time to spare, but I gave whatever time I had and what energy I could muster. I gave from “my poverty”, I was determined to keep God first place, but there came a point when I was so exhausted, I decided I needed a relaxing vacation in the mountains of Upstate NY – in a bed and breakfast on a lake. That trip led to a dream and a friendship (though short lived) that led to my moving to a log cabin high on a mountain in a quaint little town in Upstate NY. My husband and I never imagined moving, we loved where we were, we even planned to retire there, but then the opportunity presented itself and everything happened so quickly. Fast forward 2 years, we’ve never been happier. God took us to a place we never dreamed! Amen!
So today I pose the question: In the midst of all your busy-ness, what’s your contribution? Are you hoarding your time and talents for your own good and pleasure? Can you challenge yourself to stretch a little more for the greater glory of God? I did and I’ve been blessed with great friends and I was led to settle in a beautiful place my brother once called “Pleasantville.” The moral of the story: sacrifice a bit to put God first, take it from me , He’s going to take you places you never dreamed!” God bless you!
God is sooo good. We don’t even have to ask sometimes. I have to keep reminding myself that I am a King’s Kid. He gives us life and life more abundantly and all we have to do is thank Him for it. He takes care of the sparrow how much more us, who are created in His image and likeness.
Yes indeed! Amen!??
Thank you for sharing. GOD IS GOOD, ALWAYS!