The World – Giving versus Keeping, March 24, 2025

    “As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins ‘I tell you the truth’, He said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4)

    “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.” (James 5:1-5)

    This shallow, don’t offend anyone – just mind your own business - self-centered attitude provides the white-washing that fills the building. We can adjust our giving by comparing ourselves to others and quickly make the changes needed to convince ourselves we are giving as much time, money, resources and works as others, whether in the pew next to us or in front at the pulpit.

   The stumbling block for all of us that believe in God’s Word is that Jesus is not interested in what you give, whether time, money, resources or works. When we stand alone before Him at judgement looking into His eyes and seeing the nail scars in His hands and spear scar in His side and knowing of His holiness and that He gave His life to cover all of your sins, He won’t be interested in all that you have given – it will be awkward silence as you try to convince Him why you didn’t give it all.

He doesn’t care about what you “give”, but what you “kept” from Him.

    The man with the one talent, as spoken by Jesus in Matthew 25:14-30, defended his disobedience by telling Jesus: “I was afraid and went out and hid Your talent in the ground. But to set it right, I have now brought it back to You.” To which Jesus responded, “You wicked, lazy servant! Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

     Jesus said: “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be an apostles, but are not, and found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for My name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” (Revelation 2:2-5)