THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Constructing buildings has always been expensive. Paying for such projects can be a challenge, and Oklahoma in the 1920s was no exception. Oklahoma Baptist University needed a place for their female students, but building a dormitory wasn’t going to be easy.
That’s when Edna McMillan, a spunky woman married to an oil businessman, stepped up and started a statewide fundraising effort. Edna encouraged women to give and sacrifice. Some women sold eggs, while others contributed as little as one dollar. In fact, not a single individual gift equaled more than one hundred dollars. And with the gifts and sacrifices of hundreds of women, a dormitory was built in 1928 that is still in use today.
Edna McMillan later said, “A rich man is one who has enough for himself and enough left over to help others. Though he be possessed of millions, a man is poor, who has only enough for himself.”1
Giving is a reflection of what is important to us and where our trust lies. One unnamed woman in the Gospel of Luke encourages us to give as an expression of faith.
THE POINT
Your giving reflects your faith and trust in Christ
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Luke 12:13-15
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Jesus spoke often about money, but more importantly, He spoke about the motives behind our use of money. The Model Prayer reminds us our daily bread is not from our own hands, but from the generosity of the Father who graciously gives. As believers, we give back as a faithful act of trust rather than withholding out of greed. Having an abundance of things does not equate to having an abundant life.
Thousands of people had gathered to hear Jesus teach. Luke, the only Gospel writer to share this story, described an anonymous member of the crowd who interrupted Jesus, hoping for a judgment regarding inheritance rights. Instead of addressing the legal matter, however, Jesus addressed the man’s heart. “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (v. 15). In other words, what do you want your life to be marked by—your generosity or your wealth? Jesus then turned his attention back to the crowd and reminded them that character is more important than possessions.
Jesus warned against all greed. Greed is an insatiable desire for more and more. Greed can become all consuming and life-focused—a craving that is never satisfied. It’s why Scripture speaks often of greed’s destruction.
- “He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord” (Ps. 10:3).
- “The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them. . . .The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper” (Prov. 28:22,25).
Greed comes in a variety of forms, not just money. One of the most important scientific revelations of the twentieth century was uncovering the double helix structure: the catalyst for our understanding of DNA. While working at King’s College in London with fellow scientist Maurice Wilkins, British researcher Rosalind Franklin produced the first groundbreaking image in 1951. Wilkins showed Franklin’s data to two colleagues, James Watson and Francis Crick, who built on it and never gave her credit. Wilkins, Watson, and Crick received the Nobel Prize in 1962, but because of their greed for recognition, they disregarded Franklin’s contributions as a mere passing thought.2
Luke 12:16-21
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
In an effort to illustrate the eternal perspective of priorities, Jesus used a parable of a rich and greedy man who already possessed more than he needed. A hard-working farmer, he was a self-made man who most likely had overcome agricultural hardships. Any farmer is keenly aware profitable crops aren’t always guaranteed, so this successful man had much to boast about. Building bigger barns meant he could store his excess and live without toiling in the fields for years to come. We see his pride and selfishness in the number of times he referred to himself. The rich man had accumulated possessions just for his own satisfaction and enjoyment, yet he would soon learn he couldn’t take a U-Haul® to heaven.
Temporary treasures make for riches in this world, but they have no eternal value. Instead of banking on years of retirement, the rich man died and faced the God of creation with no legacy of generosity and no time to change his mind. The phrase, “this very night” (v. 20) is a reminder God knows the length of our days. So how can we build riches that count for eternity?
- Build relationships that point others to Christ. Bring a proper balance to your work and relationships. It’s often said no one on his deathbed wishes he had spent more time at work.
- Make a financial investment in kingdom-building efforts. Faithfully invest in kingdom causes through your local church. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).
- Serve others in need. Look for opportunities to bless others financially who have a specific need. Give to others without expecting anything in return or recognition.
Luke 21:1-4
1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
In Luke 21 we see a widow who was the polar opposite of the rich man we just saw in Jesus’ parable. She is an excellent example of faith, not because of what she gave, but because of her unselfish character and willingness to give all she had with unhindered trust. Jesus wanted His disciples to understand her attitude was more important than her amount.
We don’t know this woman’s name. We just know she was a poor widow. Widows and orphans were often unprotected and marginalized by society. Most likely the religious leaders who tossed their coins into the temple offering with great commotion, hoping others would notice, shunned her. Jesus did not shun her, but we have no record that He spoke directly to her. It is clear she wasn’t trying to bring attention to herself. In fact, she probably hoped no one observed her meager contribution. But Jesus did see—and He commended her and wanted others to see her generosity too.
She gave all she had. Jesus reminded those in His presence that others gave “wealth,” but her two small coins were significant to God. What she gave was most likely the money that would have bought bread. She gave up her money for food; in doing so, she truly trusted God to provide the food she needed each day. “Give us each day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3). The widow’s quiet example teaches us:
- Giving to kingdom causes is a consistent act of faith and trust.
- Giving to kingdom causes is about more than money.
- Giving to others in their time of need shows health in the body of Christ.
LIVE IT OUT
- Give. Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to bless someone financially in need this week. See if you can be anonymous in your gift.
- Memorize. Commit to memory Matthew 6:3-4: “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
- Increase. Evaluate your current charitable giving and how you are supporting your local church. Is your giving consistent? Is it sacrificial? Challenge yourself to give more than you have been for the sake of kingdom work.
We probably won’t be asked to give everything we have as this widow was willing to do. But as we evaluate God’s gifts to us, we might be surprised how many opportunities to give we will have.
Hope to see everyone this Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
Hope to see everyone this Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
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