No Plan B

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

In the context of family budgeting, the idea of an emergency fund or "rainy day" fund is one most of us are familiar with even if we are yet to establish one. Basically, an emergency fund recognizes that life is unpredictable. Unexpected financial storms can kick up at anytime leaving us at risk and in peril of serious consequences. To prepare for that, we create an emergency fund, something to bail us out when the going gets tough. It is a wise practice and discipline, as long as it or anything else in this world for that matter, does not become something, in which, we place our trust.

The widow in this story apparently had not been taught about emergency funds or was in no position to establish one. What in the world was she thinking putting all the money that she had to live on in the offering?! That was irresponsible! That was foolish! That was ... trust. Apparently, she had heard God's word through the prophet Malachi when he challenged the people to test him with their giving to see if he would come through for them. Her gift was greater than everyone else's not because of the amount of its purchasing power, but rather because of the power of God that was released due to her willingness to trust him to meet her needs. You see, when the Lord is our Shepherd, we will not be in want. Many say those words, but she lived that life. As a widow, she had no man to provide for her and yet she had a few coins left to give. Where did they come from? My guess ... this wasn't the first time she had given all she had, nor would it be her last. Plan A was God. No plan B needed.

What about you and I? Do we really believe that God is enough or are we leveraging our bets with plans B, C, D, and E? God may or may not ask us to put all that we have to live on in the offering plate, but he has asked us to trust him. So, the question has to be asked ... In who or what are we placing our trust today?

Grace and Peace,

Tom

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