When I was a younger mom in the ministry, it was very difficult for me to give. It was hard because we had small children, Gabe was in full-time ministry, and it seemed like there was always something that we needed. My husband would encourage me to give, despite our lack of finances, and I did it grudgingly. However, God continued to provide for all of our needs and take care of us. Through the years I have learned to give, not out of my abundance, but out of my lack. The same rings true not only for my finances, but also for my time. You see, the Lord desires us to give all that we have. He doesn't say to give when we have more than enough, but to trust Him and give Him the little that we have. I will never have enough time to sit at the Lord's feet and make Him a priority in my life. There will ALWAYS be something that has to be done. I just have to stop and make time. In the same way, I probably will never have enough money to give it away, but I desire to give what I have.
I love the many stories in the Bible where God uses someone's little in a BIG way when they give all that they have--- the little boy with the small lunch, the widow and her two mites and so many more. I especially love the story of the widow that gives to Elijah... There was a famine in the land and God directed Elijah to a widow who would supply him with food. However, this widow had only a little flour and oil, and it wouldn't be enough to even supply an adequate meal for herself and her son. Even though this widow only had a little, Elijah asked her to make him a piece of bread first, before even feeding her family! This woman and her son were on the brink of starvation, yet she was obedient to the word of the Lord. Imagine if she wasn't obedient. Because of her faith in God and her generosity, her flour and oil never ran out, even in the midst of a drought!
I want to charge you today (and myself) to give all that you have, even if it is not much. God will use it and bless your obedience. HE is more than enough!
