MANNA FOR THE MIND

Gifts In The Spirit and the Natural Do Not Dictate Your Worth

by TARI COX, M.A.

It was while I swiftly navigated through the chaotic What God accounts for, He makes room for. We can imagine that the “Holiday Sales” lines that I realized my bank account crowd consisted of many people placing their money into the treasury, was likely in the negative. It was while I waited in the yet He could capably see how much one person specifically gave. line — and mentally scanned through the list of charges Through details like this, we can trust that God will turn our little into that would appear from my shopping and nonnegotiable living enough. expenses — that I felt unsettled about my most recent financial Jesus never negated the earthly value of what the widow gave. decisions. It was during my favorite time of the year. It was while Jesus doesn’t stand on His attributes by watering down our reality. doing what I actually enjoy doing — being able to bless those I love Rather, He infuses truth into our situation. Jesus has never sought to dearly. It was during the holidays. But it was also during a season of display naivety towards what we bring to the table. Scripture lists the unemployment, and during that holiday season, I was trying to make exact amount the widow had to offer, whereas the amount given by ends meet. the wealthy was left unspecified. I believe God to be intentional — He

Though the holidays are meant to be filled with the joy of gift- wanted to address the totality of both what she gave and her heart giving, they can often include the pressure of posture in giving it. unmet expectations of what one can bring to the Jesus was less interested in the amount that table, literally and figuratively. others gave and more interested in what they

Moreover, this will be our second holiday gave of what they had. season in conditions that are far less than optimal: Jesus doesn’t perceive the world as we do. And a pandemic. And while these conditions have as we walk out our lives of faith, we should strive impacted some more than others, we are in the to view life through His lens. In this instance, prime of truly understanding the vital importance value wasn’t determined by the money — it of human interaction, all while simultaneously was identified by the circumstance and what juggling financial burdens or their potential reality was sacrificed. Surely, we are to adopt this same during this holiday season. mindset for the sake of our peace this year.

But whether you’re fully employed, As we approach this holiday season, may unemployed, or simply making an effort to we remember that gift-giving pressure does not steward your finances accordingly, know the have to result in unnecessary debt or financial stress. following: your gift-giving is not a reflection of God has given us each access to His wisdom for what you have to offer. We can look at a passage in stewarding what we’ve been given. “Wisdom is the Bible where Jesus saw worth beyond numbers, a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of in the little that one widow had to give. knowledge is this:Wisdom preserves those who have it.”

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put —Ecclesiastes 7:12 (NIV) and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. This year, release yourself from the competition you’ve set within Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and your mind. Give yourself room to expect that others’ desires this year put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. may be centered around quality time as opposed to quality things. And Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor more importantly, know that Jesus has a long history of turning very widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of little into more than enough for those in need. their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live May we greet the holidays this year with more gratitude than on.” —Mark 12:41-45 (NIV) the last and be more receptive to the things of Christ than any holiday As profound as the surface-level understanding of this passage is, one season thus far. M can gather several points here regarding giving:

Jesus watched from a distance, yet never missed a detail.

We can rest assured, knowing that God has accounted for the nuances F For more inspirational content, follow Tari Cox on Instagram and complexities of our holiday preparation and burdens. @xarcito and visit her website at www.taricox.com