Extravagant Giving
By Jen Wollner
“As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘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 21:1-4
The television show 20/20 recently aired a program about the Appalachian Mountain region. It wasn’t a show about the beauty of the mountains or wildlife; it was about the extreme poverty and despair that face those who live there. It’s one of the most destitute places in America. Many people don’t know how to read, much less finish high school. They have a difficult time finding jobs and, instead, rely on the welfare system. Alcohol use and prescription drug abuse run rampant. In fact, the most profitable “profession” in the area is drug dealing. Many people keep their prescription drugs under lock-and-key, for fear of being robbed by a dealer. And, the people in this area die younger, compared to the national average, due to their poor diets and lifestyles. Suffering and heartache are a way of life.By Jen Wollner
“As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘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 21:1-4
Despite the hardships, many people have strong faiths and cling to their God. As the 20/20 camera crews visited a small church in one of the tiny towns in the mountains, they noticed something interesting on the wall. It was a sign that posted the previous week’s tithing. That week, the congregation had given $1.85.
Yes, you read that right—one dollar and eighty-five cents.
This figure speaks not only of the great poverty of these people, but also of their great wealth—their wealth of trust and obedience to the Lord. They have nothing, yet they still give back to God. They can’t afford food, yet they tithe so that Jesus can take it and give to others. Just like the widow whom Jesus commends for putting in the temple treasury all she had to live on, these people give out of their extreme poverty. The amount of money may seem small to us, but I’d be willing to bet that the Lord multiplied it and blessed those that worshipped Him in such an extravagant way.
Convicting? Yes! Inspiring and encouraging? Yes! Yes! As we give back a portion of what the Lord so generously gives to us, let’s emulate the example of these Appalachian brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s give abundantly, joyfully and expectantly—resting in the knowledge that our God will use it to bless others…for His glory!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Ask God this week for guidance and direction in your personal tithing. Then, be obedient to His prompting.
FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 8:2-5, 9:6-7
Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads Oakwood’s Fresh Start ministry.
