Jesus Honors Sacrifice
“I tell you the truth,” 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 21:3-4)
Sacrifice is a difficult word for most of us to
really understand. In our culture of plenty, we have been able to do it all. We have given to charity and we have purchased
that new car. We have given time to
volunteer and we have gone to the movies. We have helped a neighbor and watched the
football game.
Jesus showed His eternal value system when He
lifted up the widow and her small gift. He knew that the others gave out of
their abundance, but she gave out of her poverty. So when He saw someone give sacrificially, He
honored it. Eternally, Jesus was trying
to show His disciples that the offering is valued based on the loyalties of the
heart.
When we give a half-hour to volunteer and rush
home to watch the football game, we have revealed our loyalties. That gift of service was cheap because it did
not require us to give up anything. But
if we give up watching our favorite television program because a friend needs
to talk, then we have sacrificed something, and Jesus confirms our service as
an act of worship.
How has God challenged you to sacrifice
for your faith?
