THE SACRIFICE OF GIVING

I was in a church in the Uk where one of the church leaders had gone to spend what I gathered was part of his sabbatical in a church in Southern Africa. As he shared his story of his time there, something I could Identify with caught my attention as he spoke.

He arrived at this church and was given his accommodation. The local church had gone to great lengths to make this accommodation as comfortable as they possibly could. But there was no washing machine. As time went on, he shared with some of the elders of the local church how he was having difficulties with laundering his clothes.

Shortly after that, he was told what he said he could hardly get his head around. A couple in the church approached him to offer their washing machine to him. But that wasn't all the story. The couple had been saving to buy this washing machine over several months and paying gradually towards it. Now, the payment was going to be completed and they were due to take delivery of the washing machine. Their offer was that the company instal the washing machine in his house and when he completes his sabbatical and departs, they will then take their washing machine.

He said that coming from the United Kingdom, this gesture he found difficult to understand. He accepted their offer but that left a lasting impression on him. What a wonderful story on giving by this couple, who did not have a washing machine themselves. Their giving impacted his life.

In our several mission trips to Africa, we encounter the fact that the disadvantaged we meet and minister to are often very willing to share generously and joyfully of the little they possess.

That reminds me of the story of the widow in the bible in Luke 21:4. This widow gave all her livelihood as offering at the Temple. Jesus who watched this declared that by her giving, she had given more than all who gave out of their abundance. She had given sacrificially.

This poor widow gave everything she had.

Shortly after, Jesus was to give His all. His Father had asked Him to lay down His life for all mankind that through that sacrifice; ALL might come to God through Christ.

Meaningful giving is always going to be an act of sacrifice. This also usually impacts lives.