By Mark Maher
Most of us give out of our abundance, but the widow gave out of her scarcity, now that’s pure faith. “They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:44) “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1)
True faith will give when it hurts, even when we don’t feel it, or when we feel empty, giving out of our scarcity and not just out of our abundance.
“When we look at the world, do we see scarcity and worry about not having enough, or do we see the One whose very presence transforms enough into abundance?” Tiffany Fan
Life
Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd and says, “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of MY OWN ACCORD.” (John 10:18). Jesus offered himself willingly. He gave everything. And we are in turn, to give everything, and lay down all false idols. It’s an all in faith, and it will take you out of your comfort as we are not to just give to God when it doesn’t hurt, but deep faith calls you to give even in your lack or during the storms of life.
Love
Abundance believes in the best of others whereas scarcity is fearful of others. If you’re courageous, you’re not afraid of love as this is our true calling and withholding love doesn’t change people; but giving it unconditionally does. The greatest gift you can give to others is unconditional love and acceptance. We are called to love (like the widow) even when it’s not easy, to love even out of our scarcity.
Time
Are we giving a scarcity mentality about our time. Are you afraid to share your time with Christ? Are you afraid it will sacrifice getting things done? Is your time your idol? Or are you willing to give God your time even when it hurts.
Wealth
There will never be enough or will there always be enough? The verse I reflect on often is “the deceitfulness of wealth” (Matthew 4:19) as it’s never enough and so people hang onto their money so tightly that they don’t enjoy life, or give it as freely as they should or could because they’re fearful of running out. Has it always been enough? Some of the best memories are when money was tight. It’s not the value of the gift, but the giving of the heart that matters. To give even when money is tight is the lesson of the widow’s mite. Be prudent, but the love of money can become an idol.
Fearlessness
Abundance mentality knows you can adapt, and that God is always with you, whereas scarcity is fearful of letting go. To multiply and grow the seed, you’ll have to let it release from your hand. You reap what you sow, (Galatians 6:7-8) but you have to let it go. “Freely I received, so freely you should give.” (Matthew 10:8) Faith calls you to be courageous even when you want to do anything but.
Faith Multiplies
He is the God of multiplication, just ask the widow who said she had no oil, but once she started to pour, it just kept on flowing. (2 Kings 4:1-7)The widow told Elisha that she had nothing, but what she thought was nothing was really all she needed.
We are called to use our God-given gifts in the service of God, and to take risks for the Kingdom of God. Why would you bury your talent? Jesus doesn’t think too much of burying your God-given talents, “so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant, 30 now cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matthew 25:25-26, 30) as opposed to Christ’s reaction to the one who multiplied his God-given gifts “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.” (Matthew 25:23)
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” (Luke 6:38)
