I wonder how many us give much thought to this verse during the holidays.  I know that I have been guilty of thinking that I have been a generous giver, until I realized, most of my giving comes from my abundance, after I have made sure of my needs first.  The past year of working with people that live in the motels has started to change that way of thinking for me.  Most of these folks live paycheck to paycheck, yet, we have had so many that will give us anywhere from a dollar to five dollars, just because they want to contribute and give back.  Every time they do it reminds me of the poor widow.  To give not from our abundance but from our “lack of” is a true testament to your faith in God providing.  I really encourage you to think outside of the consumerism of the holiday season this year.  Instead of buying stuff for people that will just end up in a landfill in a few years invest in the people.  Pay someone’s rent, or utilities, or insurance.  Take them to dinner or better yet bake some cookies and spend some time with them.

We all have different income levels, different levels of abundance, and different needs but one thing we all have that is equal is “time.”  We each have the same 24 hours in a day and the same 7 days a week.  I would encourage you to give freely of your time this holiday season to someone or someone’s that you might not normally reach out to.  For instance, give someone a ride that is walking in the cold even though you are going the other direction, visit with someone in a restaurant that is sitting alone even though you are ready to pay your check, take a little extra time to find out more about an employee or co-worker that you don’t work closely with, invite someone that might be alone for the holidays to spend time with you, go Christmas caroling at a nursing home like my friend Dwight is planning on doing.  This year Amy & I decided that we are going to open our house up to the people that live in the motels on Christmas day.  People shouldn’t have to spend Christmas alone.  We are just going to watch movies, eat junk food, and build relationships.  Whatever you do this holiday season, give until you’re “uncomfortable”, give to those that have less than you, offer hope and be an example of the widow.