Faith of a Middle Schooler

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box,2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4)

She dove into her purse. The middle school girl who slowed down Sunday service scurried through a plethora of pockets that would make Pandora blush. I held the coffer nervously waiting for her to finish. Not knowing what to do, I was curious for what would happen next. Triumphantly she pulled two faded quarters and rushed them into the offering basket. There are moments in your life that both breathe a sweeping life into your being while breaking your heart. This was such a moment. To be this young and trust God with what little money you can scrap together is of the highest faith. In a generation of more, more, more, she humbly whispered a prioritized “hallelujah“.

Many of us don’t like to give. Yes, many of us are stubborn but I believe it goes deeper than this. Perhaps we have been taught a limited view of Christian charity. Countless sermons have prioritized money as the chief gift to give. When we look at Luke 21, we see that it is actually not about money at all. Jesus was stretching us to think deeper and more robustly than a few mere coins. He called us to recognize our poverty and then use it as our compass back to Him. To follow, it will cost you. Preference, time, energy, patience, and yes, money are just a few things in which we are bankrupt and in which He wants to redeem. Our middle school friend understood this in a way many adults cannot. She was obedient to the banker of her soul. She grasps poverty and the Lord will bless her as the Father does. It has been my experience that the things we hold tightest to are usually the things we need to let go to keep moving closer to the Son. May we have such faith as the poor widow and may God be patient enough to hold the basket.

Lord, bring us to bankruptcy. Persistently break our heart until we relent. Your way is better, bless our feeble attempts to praise you.