Rich or Poor

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My mind was still groggy with sleep, as I left my warm bed and entered the chilly bathroom to get ready for the day. I wound the knob on the heater a couple clicks clockwise and soon began to enjoy the warm air flowing from the machine—it felt pretty nice.

In my half-awake state, I began thinking about the people who cannot turn a heater on and enjoy the cozy heat. Not because they would not want to, but because a heater is a luxury they cannot afford. Amazing, I thought, I have a warm comfortable house and some people have none.

In an instant, my thoughts turned to the widow that Jesus commended for putting her meager living in the offering while the rich gave of their surplus. I thought of rich men in the Bible, like Job, David, and Solomon. My mind drifted to those I know who have plenty, perhaps more than they can use. I thought about the debt I owe the bank—more money than some would make in their lifetime. That was quite a thought. I know I do not have what some do, but I also know I have more than others. How much you have is a bit illusive—it is easy to adjust your spending to the amount of money you make.

It is interesting that there are both rich and poor in the Bible. Lazarus, which lay at the rich man’s gate, was saved as well as Job, and Zacchaeus. Jesus had both rich and poor followers, yet he placed no value in the amount of money they had. He saw the needs in their heart.

I walked past the thermostat on the way to the kitchen and hit the up arrow a couple times. I turned on the espresso machine, and waited for it to warm up, while it ground the precise amount of coffee. I tamped it down, and made myself a perfect, Americano—well, at least I thought so. To another it may have been sour or bland—I have no idea. If it had not tasted good, I could have dumped it down the drain and made myself another without harming my bank account too much.

Following my usual routine, I eased out of the still half-dark kitchen, coffee in hand, to my comfortable recliner. I grabbed a blanket, kicked up the footrest, and settled in with my Bible.

This morning my Bible opened to the story of David, Jonathan, and Saul. Saul’s jealousy made him hate David. It almost would appear that this made his son Jonathan love David more. Johathan freely and unselfishly loved David, knowing full-well that one day the kingship may go to David instead of him.

Soon my son came down for his breakfast and headed off to work. Once again, I was alone with a bit of time left before I needed to start my day proper. I could not get the story of the widow out of my mind, so I looked it up, then began this essay.

By now I have drunk my coffee and want another one. I have the choice if I want another Americano or regular coffee in the drip coffee maker. I could use the Keurig, or I could get out the French press. If that is not satisfactory, I could always heat some water and make a pour-over cup. Ah, you may be thinking I am some sort of coffee guru, but I assure you I am not. I do like a good cup, but I leave the particulars to coffee connoisseurs. The point is that I have options to gratify my taste and desires in this area of life, whereas many people do not have the luxury of a cup of coffee even if they wanted one. Things that we take for granted are luxuries far beyond the reach of many people.

I do not feel condemned for having more than some, or poor by having less than others. My true value is not in whether I have a large operation or work a job at minimum wage. It is not contingent on whether I have a car or a bike for transportation, or neither. Jesus did not condemn the rich men for giving of their abundance. He was looking beyond the amount, to the heart of giving.

With more money, comes more responsibility and more temptation. The Bible does not say that being rich or poor is wrong. It warns the rich or those that seek wealth, whether they are rich or poor, of the pitfalls of riches.

I have no goal to this narrative—I just got to thinking. First, I realized that I have plenty. Secondly, Jesus put no value in whither people were rich or poor. Thirdly, we are responsible for how we use what we have acquired. As wealth increases, one tends to need God less.

We must strive, whither with more or less, to put God first. Money is earthly and can disappear in a moment—we will not take it with us when we die. It is just to help us get through the world—we are just stewards of what God has allowed us to accumulate.

The takeaway for today? Jesus commended the poor widow who unselfishly gave everything she had. Her courage to cast in her pennies in the face of the rich men, was remarkable. She could have said, “What good are my two mites, with all these rich men around?” That is something like I would have done. But she was not concerned about others—she freely gave out of the love in her heart for God.

In what ways can we practice that same spirit of giving this Christmas season?

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And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Mark 12:41-44KJV