IT’S ENOUGH
Erin Kranz
Today's Scripture: “Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;” Psalm 37:16, NIV
Theme: God doesn’t require us to have much money; yet no matter how much or how little we have, He recognizes us for wealth in faith and in generosity.
COMPARISONS
It’s so easy to compare ourselves to others, isn’t it? Especially in this social media age, we constantly see the highlight reels of those around us. You may look around and think, “How can they afford that house?” “That vacation must have cost a fortune!” or “I can’t believe they’d spend that kind of money on ___.” These thoughts are destructive to us, our relationships with others, and often stem from, deep down, feeling like we don’t have enough.
COPPER COINS
It makes me think of the woman with two mites: “Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, ‘Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on’” Luke 21:1-4 (ESV). To be clear, Jesus was not calling the wealthy wicked in this passage. He did, however, praise the poor widow for her generosity and faithfulness. Like our verse for today, He said that what she had and gave was better.
WHAT’S IN MY ACCOUNT
What we have--whether money, special talents, time, position, or influence--is what God can use. The woman gave all she had, and she didn’t have much. We have much more than two copper coins. Some of us have time to volunteer, some of us contribute by visiting friends in the hospital or sitting with them when they have family members hospitalized. Some of us provide meals, drop off groceries at the Cove food pantry, or donate items to Called to Care. Whatever you have in your “account,” God recognizes when you give generously living out your faith.
Make It Personal: What if we altered our thinking to match up with God’s here? What if we accepted and were thankful for whatever we have been given instead of being jealous of others? Imagine the space that could free up in our minds to focus on what God has for us instead of the tunnel vision that envy creates! I encourage you to be thankful, content and rich in generosity.
Pray: Father God, thank You for the resources I have to manage, whether they are bountiful or budgeted. I know that You will provide for my needs. Help me to be content, generous, and faithful with whatever I have. You are the Creator – You have everything and yet You desire to include me in Your plans. I am grateful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Luke 21:1-4, Mark 12:41-44
Weekly Memory Verse: “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!” Ecclesiastes 5:10, NLT