We have all heard this story of the widow's mite. Have you thought about where you fit into the story? I would guess, somewhere in the middle.
I understand poverty; the feeling that you don't know how you will pay the bills or buy food for your children. I am keenly aware of wondering how I will put oil in my tank so that we would have heat, and spent many nights where the temperature was below fifty in the house.
At that time, my donation to the Lord was time and talent. I gave time to my church and taught classes to children and adults.
When we don't have money, it doesn't mean that we don't have anything to offer to God. We can offer time and talent to a church, or to the community. As long as we are giving whatever we can offer in service to the people, we are offering our gifts to God.
For the rich, money is an easy way out. It is easier for them to throw money into a cause than to donate their time.
In small churches, I have seen people take care of everything from baking cookies for a gathering after church to taking care of the grounds, shoveling snow or planting flowers.
In many of the larger churches, the people don't seem to have time to share their talents, so they pay into the collection.
Another thing I have noticed, is that the rich pay what they want and not necessarily enough to keep their church open and then they get upset because it's closed or that the minister is only part-time and isn't available when they want him or her.
The important thing for us is to decide what we have to offer God and then to do it. The choice is ours.
