Tiny Offerings

I think the majority of us most easily identified with the little boy in Keith’s sermon Sunday. David, Samuel and Mary were big deals in the history of the chosen people, but few of us will dash off a fresh psalm of worship this week and ship it off to Janet to be sung by the choir on Sunday morning… or anoint the next President of the United States… or have a life-changing encounter with Gabriel. We don’t feel like we have those sorts of skill sets to offer or epic roles to play; we’ll leave those things to the kings, prophets, and heroines of history.

But a boy with a little lunch, now that’s us. Like Keith said, it doesn’t take a lot of talent to give your lunch to somebody. Especially when it was a lunch he probably didn’t earn or prepare. (The fish were likely snagged by dad’s net, the loaves baked by mom while her son danced, carefree, past the fire and off to play with friends).

What he had not earned and did not create, he merely received, then offered willingly to Jesus.

Or look at the widow at the temple (Mk. 12:41 ff).. It was near the beginning of Holy Week, and Jesus had just recently cleared the temple of moneychangers and merchandise. He had condemned; now He came back to commend. He sat and observed the morning tithes and offerings, noticing that the rich were throwing in large sums of money. Then he pointed out a solitary old woman who had, without fanfare, slipped two “mites,” the smallest coins of the day, into the treasury. It was all she had.

“Respect that contribution,” He advised His disciples. “She has put in more than all the rest.”

Jesus had great respect for the boy's lunch and the widow’s tiny contribution, and He has great respect for our tiny offering, too. He’s intending to do all sorts of wonderful, unexpected things with it – if we respect it enough to present it to Him.

We respect the treasure, time and talents we’ve been given when we…
 remember that the smallest things matter
 don’t belittle what we’ve been given
 don’t try to hype our resources, but accept them for what they are
 don’t wait to give til we have more
 give our all and best, holding nothing back for a more opportune time
 take godly pride in our contribution, considering it a privilege

Have any of us been holding back because our tiny offering seems so worthless, so pointless? Have we looked at our little resources and shrugged, “What are these among so many?” Until you and I respect the little lunch we’ve been given, we will not be glad to place it at Jesus’ disposal. We won’t see much multiplied or many fed. And we won’t respect the little lunches in anyone else’s hand, either.

Jesus delights in the small offering or, rather, the “all” offering, whatever size. He respects it. He uses it. Therefore, as Longfellow said, “Give what you have. To someone it might be better than you dare to think.” It will be better, for Jesus will take it, and break it, and multiply it in His way, for His glory.