By Dynamis Ministries | November 18, 2021
Thanksgiving is fast approaching. Traditionally this has been a day of abundance where food, fellowship and family are all enjoyed in excess. Yet for some there’s a shadow looming over this day as we are reminded of the things we lack, places where we are experiencing scarcity. Some of us might even be in that very place right now. We all experience scarcity in different capacities at some point in our lives. Sometimes this scarcity is brought on by things we can’t control – healthcare costs or job loss that drain our savings. Other times it can be the result of things we can control – debt resulting from frivolous spending habits or fractured relationships that make us lonely. These seasons really hurt and make life challenging. Usually, generosity is one of the last things on our mind, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Regardless of the circumstances of our scarcity, our generosity can take a hit because of hard times. However, even when we experience want, we can practice generosity in the reassurance that having little to offer does not diminish the quality of our giving. Let’s look at a familiar story with a fresh perspective – The Widow’s Offering – that highlights this in a powerful way:
“Sitting across from the offering box, he (Jesus) was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins – a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, ‘The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford – she gave her all.’”-Mark 12:41-44 (The Message)
Isn’t it remarkable that Jesus would notice this seemingly small act of generosity and use it as a teaching point to his disciples? Clearly Jesus has a different standard to measure generosity. Jesus is showing us that God’s economy operates differently than the world’s economy. In the world’s economy, bigger is better in terms of quantity and growth. God’s economy is different because he values faith, love and sacrifice. This is a great reminder that generosity doesn’t look just one way, especially the ways we’ve been conditioned to think are best.
As we see in the story of the widow’s offering, it’s not always an extravagant or noteworthy gift of money that sets the standard of generosity. Generosity can be a “measly two cents” too. It’s okay to give a little money if that’s all we have. In fact, even a small monetary amount given in a season of scarcity can still be a really big deal! There are also other ways to express generosity in difficult times. Consider the single parent who is struggling to pay bills and uses the last of their groceries to prepare a meal that can be shared with their child’s friend on a play date. Or think about the neighborhood handyman who freely gives their time to assist an elderly couple with simple home repairs.
This story of Jesus elevating sacrificial giving of the widow living in want should encourage us to be generous in our own seasons of scarcity. While our capacity to give may be limited, the quality and impact of our giving can still be powerful. No matter what our capacity, our generosity can serve as a powerful tool to bless those around us. Let’s not let our scarcity limit our generosity. This Thanksgiving let’s be thankful for the ways we can give and lean into those opportunities the best we can. In doing so we can even bring a reason for thanksgiving for someone else!
Photo by Josh Appel
