More than a surplus

Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-43)

A few years back, one of our grocers had a very well-stocked section in their store with 'overstocked' and soon to expire items. You'd be able to snatch up all manner of 'good bargains' for a very low price. We were able to stock up because of the 'excess' or 'surplus' of those items the grocer had 'over-ordered'. While this may be a good tactic for finding bargains, we sometimes found that by 'snatching up' those good buys, some of the items would go to waste because we just couldn't use all of what we brought into the house. It created a 'surplus' situation on our own shelves. I found myself going through the stuff, making bags or boxes of the 'surplus' and then sharing it with others. The 'surplus' really didn't need to sit in our pantry as much as it needed to be used by others who had need of those items. In much the same way, Jesus doesn't ask for us to amass 'surplus' on this earth. Rather, he asks us to be wise in the use of what we have been given, never fearing when we part with it because we know our supply comes not from our own 'surplus', but from his hand. 

The widow gave, though she had need of what she would give. The rich gave, though they had little need of what they gave. The issue isn't the amount as much as it is the heart. The heart betrays us, does it not? The 'amount' may be great or small, but the attitude behind the 'amount' is most important. We can squander our riches on things that we don't need, or we can share them because they are a blessing we don't need to hold all to ourselves. Jesus did not preach a 'poverty' lifestyle here. There is nothing wrong with having good clothes, driving a nice car, or living in a well-maintained home. When those things become more important than he is in our lives, the issue isn't the 'amount' we amass, it is the heart that focuses solely on what is amassed!

The heart of a giver is quite a unique thing. The attitude behind the giving isn't the attention it gains the one who gives, but the joy that one feels by seeing needs met. That joy is based in grace - grace being extended first to the giver, then extended once again when the giver shares what one has been given. The heart of a giver isn't focused on 'how much' is the right amount to give, but rather how much one has been blessed with what one has been given. The willingness to share the 'bounty of blessing' must flow from a heart of gratitude and love. The 'surplus' of God's blessings in our lives isn't just for us - they are intended to be shared with others. Just sayin!