This week’s article is inspired by a news story that caught my attention in which a boy saw someone who he thought was homeless and offered him a dollar, which was all the money he had. This is an amazing story of a boy who willing wanted to give his widow’s mite to someone he thought was in need, but who actually turned out to be a multi-millionaire who had ran out of his building with whatever he could put on quickly as he had an early morning fire alarm scare in his apartment building. Thankfully, the alarm was without incident, so he decided to go and buy coffee at a nearby café and find a quiet place in the corner to do his morning devotions when this boy approached him with his only dollar. This is the kind of giving that is dear to the Father’s heart.
And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” Luke 21:1-4
I sometimes find that the poorest people can be the most giving people. I guess they understand what it is to be in want and so they are willing to share the little they have. This reminds me of the early church whose members shared everything they had with each other so that no one would lack anything.
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold. Acts 4:32-34
The attitude of the early church is not typical of today’s western church, where the members are more individualistic and care for themselves and their families more than they do for the family of Christ. It is very interesting that the account given of the great power that the apostle exhibited as they gave witness to Christ’s resurrection and the great grace which was on all of them is sandwiched between the description of them having everything in common, being in one heart and soul, and them lacking nothing. There is power in togetherness and when we are taking care of each other’s needs as it is harder for the devil to get a foothold in our lives. When the church began, they relied on the community as there was safety in community since they were being pursued and persecuted because of their faith. In a healthy community there is also spiritual and emotional safety because there is a sense that you are loved and cared for. However, it was not only materialistic things that they gave to those who were in need.
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. Luke 3:1-8
What Peter and John gave this man was more than money could buy. They had no money, but they had the gift to heal him, and they did just that as they gave him their time and attention. They gave him more than he could ever expect, and he praised the Lord. Often, we get uncomfortable around beggars, and we try to ignore them. But Peter and John stopped and looked at him. I wonder how many other people stopped to look at him with compassion. Giving does not only have to be tangible, but the intangibles can also be just as or even more important, such as giving time and attention. Being intentional to stop and stand still to pray for someone after hearing about what is going on with them can be a great encouragement.
Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10:46-52
We may not have anything to give besides stopping and standing still to hear what is on the heart of someone, but it is important that we give all we have, just as Jesus did for us.
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