“And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if
I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love,
it profits me nothing.” (NASB)
Reflection
This verse reminds me of a story in the gospel of Mark. A rich man comes to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Even though he has fulfilled all of the religious requirements and followed God's law since he was kid, he knows something is missing. Jesus agrees, something is missing. “Go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Mark makes it clear that Jesus is not commanding this action because of His concern for the poor. Before Jesus gives this command, Mark writes that He looked on the rich man and loved him. If all Jesus cared about was providing for the poor, He could multiply loaves and fish or turn stones into bread. Feeding the poor is not the real problem. Our hearts are the real problem. Even when we do make great sacrifices, give generously, or alter our diets for a month, we can find ways to do it selfishly and without love. We can make it worthless. God is not simply concerned with money changing hands from those who have it to those who do not. He is concerned with money changing hearts. It is so easy for us to focus on the transaction that we forget what God really desires is transformation.
If God has stirred your heart to be involved with Rice & Beans Month and given you strength to eat this simple meal for the past 29 days, it is not because he needs your grocery money to help feed the poor. It is because he wants to transform you. God wants to shape our hearts. He wants to break our addictions. He wants to teach us how to love more deeply. He wants us to come and follow Him.
- Casey Schilperoort, Lahash Media Director
For Kids
What motivates you to give? Is it the good feeling you get? Is it because
you want others to think you're nice? Is it because you're told you should?
Or is it out of a real love for others and God? We are told that if we don't
give out of love, then it's useless. If we give but don't love God or others,
then we miss out on what is most important and giving loses all its
meaning. God wants us to love Him and each other.
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