A Little is A Lot

I work downtown and often will hear men and women calling out for spare change. They would be pressed up against a building, hand extended and eyes shifting among the passing pedestrians hoping to be noticed and heard. More often than not, I don't stop or glance in their direction as I hurry into the office.

He challenges me give the smallest amount of whatever is in my hand so He can increase it for the person in need. He will tell me to look the individual in the eyes so they are no longer invisible, but seen and acknowledged. To speak kindly and gently to them, with respect and care, regardless of their response. I'm in essence to be Christ to them - His hands and feet.

I've learned the little that I give away will stretch my heart to be more open and wider to the things of God. The blessings of God are never to be kept close to the chest, but freely given away!

Think of the widow who gave all she had into the temple treasury. She held nothing back, even when it meant having nothing at all once she deposited the money. Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others" (Mark 12:43 NIV). She had an eternal and higher value system than those who found their worth in material possessions.

Often it's not the big, flashy and attractive things that make the most difference. It's often the small things that make the greatest impact. Jesus illustrating the kingdom of God speaks of it like a tiny mustard seed in Matthew 13:31-32.

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches." (NLT).

God will grow our deposit not only in the life we help, but He will makes us like a strong tree. Our branches will extend even farther than we can imagine. Others will find shelter under our shade and eat of the fruit God has produced in our lives because we are willing to give away the little we possessed. In Christ, we are never diminished, but enriched to give away even more!