Value

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/112414.cfm) reminds me that God looks at the value of what we give.

There are a lot of people who have favorite sleepwear. They always use old and oversized shirts for sleeping. It makes them feel comfortable and relaxed. They could easily buy new and expensive sleepwear, but choose to use their old ones. These may not be worth a lot, since they are old and worn out, but to the owners, their value is high. Same is true for people who keep old toys, whose worth may be minimal, but who value these things a lot.

God looks at the value of what we give him, not  the worldly worth.

When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people
putting their offerings into the treasury
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
He said, “I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

In the gospel, what the widow gave may not have much worth in the world. Two cents may not be able to help the poor that much.  But it’s value is high because it was all the woman got. God is not a man, and he does not see things the way we do. He does not need money from us to be able to do great things, to help the poor. What he needs from us is a heart surrendered, a heart ready to give him what we value most, and a heart who trusts in him to make use of whatever we give and multiply it.

We also see the woman’s faith in God. Being a widow, she is practically worthless in society. So she needs every money she has to survive. But her situation did not prevent her from sharing for God’s kingdom. Her situation did not prevent her from surrendering to God. She gave all she had because she had faith that God would continue to take care of her.

The woman may not have given a lot, but she gave everything she had. That may not have much worth in the world’s eyes, but in God’s eyes, the value of it is very high.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for another week to live and experience you. Lord, I pray that you help me give you high importance like the woman in the gospel. May  I be willing to give you whatever I got. May I be willing and ready to give you my best. Help me be detached from the things of this world. May I give you what I value most in life. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-