The Daily – She Did

Yesterday, I shared with you my struggle with trusting God with my money. I also told you I would share a story that had such a profound affect on me, I am still moved to tears as I think about it…

One of our pastors shared a video from a missionary in Africa with us before offering recently. It was about SO MUCH MORE than money though! I tried to find the actual video Online to share with you and could not. I have left messages for a few people at church to find it, so when I do, I will post it here for you to see with your own eyes. In the mean time, I will share the story I saw. Before I begin, please understand, again, this story has really nothing to do with money. It has to do with priorities and our true purpose as children of the Almighty and Living God!

To be honest, my eyes normally glaze over a bit during the offering portion of service. It seems monotonous. However, this was so very different. It was a video documentary of a particular woman in Africa who found Jesus through a missionary that came to preach.

Each day, the people would leave their offerings on the table. Very few, if any, were able to leave money. They all left from what they had; fruits, vegetables, chickens, etc.

However, this one woman, who was so very happy to have found Jesus, had nothing. She was a widow who lost her children and husband.

She had nothing to offer.

She was saddened by this, and desired to offer something.

On the last day, she came forward and left a silver coin (one dollar) on the offering table. It was apparently a lot of money for someone like her to leave. So, the missionary thought she may have stolen it. He did not want to embarrass her, so he waited to approach her about it. When he did, this woman not only taught him something, I am sure, but all who hear this story are certain to be challenged…

He asked her where she got the coin…

She told him that she was so happy to have found Jesus and the freedom He gave her, and that she wanted to help this missionary reach others for Jesus. So, she went to the tea plantation owner and sold herself as a slave for life if he would give her one dollar to offer to the Lord.

I was FLOORED. People were sobbing all around me. My eyes were welled up with tears as I saw the utter joy in this woman’s eyes at the thought of contributing to the message of Christ being spread to her native land! Her life and body were presented as a TRUE living sacrifice to the King of Kings.

It made me look at my own life. How self absorbed, spoiled, and complaining I can be. This woman gave her life for a dollar and I complain about air conditioning, traffic, gas prices, what others are doing/saying, not being able to have something, money, or some other unimportant nonsense. It broke my heart to think about where we have come as a Body. I know I am not alone in my self serving, worldly, non-eternity-minded thinking at times. We think about the here and now far too much! We should be thinking about SOULS and storing up for our eternity just as this wonderful, precious woman of God has!

She was not saddened to offer her life. It was her pleasure! She understood what 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and Matthew 16: 24 mean and probably never even read them!

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received as a Gift from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (amplified)

Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me, cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also. – Matthew 16:24 (amplified)

Do we even understand what these REALLY mean??

She did!

Let’s pray;

Daddy God, forgive me for my self-absorbed mentality. Forgive me for being unthankful, complaining, and a spoiled brat at times. I pray that you bless the woman in this story abundantly. I pray that she is great in Heaven and that You protect her all the days she has left on this earth. I want to have a heart like hers. I want to offer my all to You and trust You as profoundly and deeply as she. I am not my own and the price that was paid for me was great. Let me never forget that! I love You, Daddy. Thank You for loving me! In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen!

Homework:

I have included several passages of Scripture to inspire you. Some are stories of those who came before us and how they understood that their lives were a living sacrifice for the King of Kings! Read them. Check the references. Study and find the INSPIRATION to DO in Daddy’s Word!!!

• Job 1 (whole chapter)
• 1 Peter 4:13
• Matthew 6:19-21
• Hebrews 13:15
• Mark 12:41-44
• Matthew 26:6-13
• James 1:2-4
• 1 Peter 1:6-7
• The Book of Ruth

Memorize: I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies, presenting all your members and faculties as a living sacrifice, holy devoted, consecrated and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service and spiritual worship. – Romans 12:1

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