Mark and Luke tell the story of Jesus sitting by the Temple treasury. He not only observed people depositing money into the offering receptacles but also made known to the world, for all time, the exact amount given by a poor widow. Jesus wanted us to know that what drops into the offering is important to Him.
I’m not sure I would like everyone to know the amount I give in the offering. I have occasionally folded my one-dollar bills to conceal the value before dropping them into the container. However, Jesus is aware. He watches. He saw me pass by the fives, tens, and twenties and choose the ones. He is present every time we give.
Proverbs 3:27 declares, “Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it” (GNT paraphrase). There’s a profound sense of fulfillment when we give sacrificially, withholding nothing.
Ecclesiastes 11:6 advises continuous sowing of seeds, “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” That’s the order. That’s the command. Giving to the kingdom of God serves the primary purpose of sowing the seeds of truth. It’s all about the mission: reaching the lost, both young and old. Your dollars propel the gospel into places you may never physically go.
I hope some of my Mothers Memorial “seed” dollars were spent when a child arrived at Tupelo Children’s Mansion simply wanting a McDonald’s Happy Meal. It would be an honor if the dollars I contributed were part of that provision.
Perhaps a few of my Mothers Memorial dollars aided a young lady abandoned by her family in a distant land for choosing to serve Jesus. With the support of Mothers Memorial, she could attend Bible school and is now a leader in her country.
A North American missionary couple, far from home, faced tragedy when the husband unexpectedly passed away. Mothers Memorial funding helped the widow resettle back home. I would be pleased if the dollars I contributed assisted her during that difficult time.
Did my Mothers Memorial offering reach New Beginnings, where a young woman in a difficult situation made the heart-wrenching choice to allow her baby to be adopted? She felt it would give her child a better chance in life. It did, and his life and ministry have since blessed the kingdom of God.
Countless stories exist of Mothers Memorial dollars making a global impact, blessing lives, and making a difference for thousands.
Though it may be challenging to give without holding back, especially when there never seems to be enough money to cover life’s essentials, it’s crucial to keep in mind that Jesus observes the treasury and notes what is given. True to His word, He blesses those who give generously. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38).
