10.08.2008

A Beautiful Spirit = A Giving Spirit

As Jesus looked up, he saw some rich people putting their gifts into the Temple money box. Then he saw a poor widow putting two smaller copper coins into the box. He said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow gave more than all those rich people."
- Luke 21:1-3

This story encourages me every time I read it. Even if I don't have much to give, what I DO give cheerfully, He will bless and honor! This story reminds me of a family I saw on Extreme Home Makeover (which, by the way, always makes me cry for days!). They live in Oahu, and they have an organization that helps the community and the families & children in it. They didn't have much at all for themselves - their house was falling apart & about to fall into a river. The parents could barely make ends meet for their kids, and yet these are the very people running a shelter, a day care - giving to others incessantly. 
How beautiful is the spirit of those who give unselfishly and unceasingly. Although they cannot give monetarily, they give something of much more value: they give of their spirit, and they do it with love. (1 Corinthians 13:1 - without love, we do nothing but make loud noise - it accomplishes nothing.)
How much more valuable is the poor person's offering of $1.00 - all they have, than the rich person's offering of $1.00 - the least of their many possessions?

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