My cooper coins

Matthew 12:41-44
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

A few times in my life I have been privileged enough to see this scripture play out. Each time it is quite humbling to see people give out of their poverty. Last week while we were in Buyobe, we saw this scene played out every day. Buyobe, as a community, is even considered poor by the Ugandans. Yet every day when the students would arrive, they would be carrying gifts. One might be carrying an ear of corn, another might have a lemon, and another might hand you some potatoes. You never really knew what they were going to give you. You just knew that it was from the heart and it was all they had and probably a sacrifice to give.

Buyobe is not the only place in which people have given to us and welcomed us. It happens all the time and is a part of their culture and quite Biblical. Not only do we receive the physical gifts, but we have received the gifts of love. This however is not something they are poor in. Jesus sends off the disciples in groups of two in Matthew 10. Check out verses 11-14. Jesus is speaking to the disciples about being welcomed in a place. Now when we have entered homes, schools, churches, or simply walked into someone’s presence we usually hear, “You are welcome.” At first we thought this was very odd since we only use the phrase in the US after hearing thank you. However, I have learned it is best to receive this greeting at first and have the intentions of the person made known. They are giving us their welcome. They are extending their love to us. Needless to say I have never had to entertain the thought of shaking the dust from my feet, and believe me at the end of the day there is quite a bit.

When I look at my own life I desire to live this way. However, more often than not, I find myself checking to see if I can afford the gift. Can I afford to give my time and welcome someone? How much is this going to cost me in the end? Each day here I am reminded to not let my left hand know what my right hand is doing when I give (Matt 6:3). Truthfully it is so freeing. The other day I heard someone describe that giving our gifts was similar to holding an egg. God has given us these eggs (gifts). However, if we hold on to them too tight, then we will crush them and be no good for anybody. I don’t want my hands to be sticky and gross. I want them to be free. I desire to give freely out of my love and faithfulness, regardless of riches or poverty. I want to give all I have. I am trying to learn from my neighbors because they have soo much to teach. I choose2B a sacrificial giver, and in the words of the rapper K’naan, “Yeah Africa, you helped me write this, by showing me to give is priceless!”