The State of My Heart

The Widow's Mite

by James Christensen

photo source

Jesus sat down opposite the place

where the offerings were put

and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.

Many rich people threw in large amounts.

But a poor widow came and put in

two very small copper coins,

worth only a few cents.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said,

"Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more

into the treasury than all the others.

They all gave out of their wealth;

but she, out of her poverty, put in everything --

all she had to live on."

- Mark 12: 41-44

The widow's giving did not depend on the state of her finances. Rather, her giving was a reflection of the state of her heart.

The widow gave all she had to live on but was not afraid to let go of it at that moment. 

She had absolute trust in the One who holds her life and is the ultimate source of provision for her needs.

She did not live with a sense of poverty and lack.

She lived with a sense of reckless abandon, which is what true faith is all about.

A wise farmer understands the importance of cooperating with the seasons.

Living with a sense of reckless abandon... this is really what I want. 

There is a place for exercising discretion and wisdom in spending. Saving for the rainy day, and staying out of debt are marks of Godly wisdom. 

But extreme frugality stifles me. It can be a curse and a manifestation of the spirit of poverty and fear of lack in one's heart.

I want to be able to enjoy spending what God graciously provides.

Like the widow in the story, I want to place my absolute trust in the One who holds my life, the ULTIMATE source of provision - for what I need and what I desire.

Not Just A New Season

photo source

Then Isaac departed from there and pitched his tent

in the Valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.

And Isaac dug again the wells of water

which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father,

for the Philistines had stopped them up

after the death of Abraham.

He called them by the names which his father had called them.

And Isaac's servants dug in the valley,

and found a well of running water there.

But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen saying,

"The water is ours."

So he called the name of the well Esek,

because they quarreled with him.

Then they dug another well,

and they quarreled over that one also.

So he called its name Sitnah.

And he moved from there and dug another well,

and they did not quarrel over it.

So he called its name Rehoboth,

because he said,

"For now the LORD has made room for us,

and we shall be fruitful in the land."

- Genesis 26:17-22

This beautiful Biblical account is one of my favorites. It speaks of being brought into a wide place. It particularly speaks to me of bringing faith to a higher level - from passive faith to active faith.

The enemy wants to keep us locked up in a tight place - whether in the matter of relationships, finances, health, a job, or a career.

A tight place which feels like all the doors are closed, or a dead end.

But Rehoboth which literally means "room enough," has spiritual implications. Isaac said it beautifully: 

... the Lord has made room

... we shall be fruitful in the land.

There are a number of passages in Scripture that relate to this idea.

Oh Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup

You maintain my lot.

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;

Yes I have a good inheritance.

- Psalm 16:5, 6

 The also brought me out into a broad place; 

He delivered me because He delighted in me.

-Psalm 18:19

You enlarged my path under me

So my feet did not slip.

- Psalm 18:36

I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy

For You have considered my trouble;

You have known my soul in adversities,

And have not shut me up

into the hand of the enemy;

You have set my feet in a wide place.

-Psalm 31:7

One thing I know: I cannot be held hostage by a poverty mentality of fear of lack and unending self provision. Somehow, my faith tells me that the God I believe in is a God of provision, abundance, and more than enough.

He is the God of glorious possibilities.

To him who believes, all things are possible.

This year I enter not just a new season... I am entering a new era.

It is My Rehoboth era... an era of abundance, or multiplication, of provision.