Are you using what you have?

I have been thinking a lot about the story I shared last week of my friend who wanted to give people a $100. When he prayed, God said, “Use what you have.” And that is exactly what he did. He began making sandwiches for the homeless and handing them out.

His story inspired me so much, I wrote a blog about it. But afterwards, as I reflected on it, I was reminded of the Widow’s mite.

In Mark 12:41-44, we read,

“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. ⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

For a poor woman, hers is a story of commitment and sacrifice. She used what she had despite her circumstances. As I think about this story, I question my own giving. Do I give out of my abundance? Her gift was far greater than all the others because she gave all she had. How hard is it to give when we think we don’t have anything to offer? But if we step back, we can hear God whisper, “Use what you have.”

Are you using what you have? 

One Thursday night, months before the pandemic, I was handing out hot plates of food at the local soup kitchen. Delivering the food directly to person at the table is my favorite part. I love talking and getting to know people. Often, I would sit down and visit and hear incredible stories of God’s grace and goodness in the midst of difficult circumstances. I am always blown away by their willingness to help others in spite of their situation.

This one guy told me how he collected dry goods and dropped them by a neighbor’s house who recently lost his job. Another family told me how they donated their hand-me-downs to the clothes closet because that’s where they were able to go when they were evicted from their apartment. An elderly woman told me how she made a homemade pound cake and took it to a family who recently lost their grandfather due to cancer.

When we use what we have, our offering is worth far more than anything else.

I listened to story after story of folks compelled to give what they had. Perplexed, I asked this one guy why he wanted to help. He looked me square in the eyes and said, “It’s the least I can do. Jesus didn’t wait for me to get it all together. He died for me while I was still a sinner.”

Jesus gave the greatest gift by sacrificing his own life even before we had it all together. Jesus used what he had and he did it willingly.

2 Corinthians 8:12 says,“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable…” The widow was willing and her two coins were more than acceptable. My friend’s gift of homemade sandwiches for the homeless is an amazing example of his willingness to use what he has. And Jesus, well we know, he was more than willing.

Saint Francis of Assisi said, “It is in our giving that we receive.” This has been my experience. Every time I volunteer and give of my time, I receive the blessing. So here’s two questions for you, “Are you using what you have,” and “what are you willing to give for God?”

Let us pray: Oh great Giver, thank you for the gifts you have given us. Forgive us when we don’t use what we have. Teach us to give like Jesus gave. In Jesus’ name, Amen. -M 

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