Giving from your heart?
or for show…
'As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” 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 21:1-4
i know a couple, possibly a few times, i did not have my heart right when tithing. my offer back to The Lord for the kindness and generosity He had shown me was taking a out a big wad of cash, unfortunately it was all ones because i had gone to the strip club a day or two before service, hoping to be ‘redeemed’ and favor.
i can only imagine that some of the reactions from those around me were of shock at how much i was putting in the offering plate or of disgust if they had an inkling where those dollar bills came from. the sad part of it was i wasn’t giving to honor God, it was all a show. no way was it like the poor widow who truly gave from her heart.
while those days are long gone, i was disappointed in my actions and holding on to the shame for some time. i share this in hopes that others don’t get caught up with being seen for how much they give nor for giving with the wrong motives.
Father God, thank you for helping me see the errs of my ways. that the heart of giving is to return what was yours to begin with and seeing us be good stewards of those resources. may my/our giving be a blessing for those who it is intended for and that you would multiply it for your Kingdom’s purposes. in Jesus’ name i pray, amen!