"Woe Is Me!"
Annette and I faced some unusual infrastructure challenges one day last week. It started with an unexpected electrical power outage that lasted several hours. Right after power was restored, we discovered a natural gas leakage that caused the gas company to shut us down. Unfortunately, the valve needed to fix the leak was on back order, so no gas for more than a week. In case you’re wondering, sponge baths, cold water shampoos, and being “stoveless” are not fun.
Several times, I was tempted to lament this inconvenience. But then I remembered a letter I had received a few weeks previously. That letter reminded me that having no gas was just that – an inconvenience, not a tragedy.
In the letter, Paul Copan, an internationally renowned apologetics author and speaker, shared the plight of a South Asian church in a heavily Muslim desert area. Only 1-2% of the local population is Christian, and they suffer significant persecution. One lady in particular – Eshaal – has experienced tremendous hardship: witnessing murders, gang rape, extortion, bribery, and other horrors. Eshaal’s family and another family are the core of a poor but thriving church that, among other things, is addressing the dire needs of orphans, widows and others trapped in economic or sexual slavery.
Paul requested funds for some core necessities: a refrigerator and a generator to power it, fans to combat the oppressive heat, and such basics as food and fuel. Additionally, the church hopes to improve its kitchen space and secure a bicycle rickshaw to further its grassroots ministry.
After I recalled Paul’s letter, I had two reactions to losing our natural gas. The first was to quash the temptation to complain. OK, so we can’t use our stove or take a shower. Boo hoo! Between our microwave, outdoor grill and hotplate, neither Annette nor I have lost any weight. And the gym showers are working just fine.
The second reaction was feeling led to provide at least a small level of support for these dear people. In the weeks before I got this letter, I had been reading the Gospel of Luke. Two of Jesus’ parables, in particular, are convicting:
The one about the rich fool who had so much abundance that he couldn’t contain it all so tore down his barns only to be called a fool by God because of his misplaced priorities (Luke12:16-21)
·The one describing the rich man who ignored the needs of the destitute Lazarus and ended up in Hades (Luke 16:19-31)
These stories show that Jesus wants us to use our resources wisely and compassionately. And his warning in Luke 11:42 about “being religious” by tithing even the smallest level of spices but ignoring the truly important things is chilling.
Beyond our regular giving budget category, we have ample discretionary funds. In addition to sending some of our tithe, I felt led to take money from my “allowance” account to help this struggling church. I assure you I will not miss that money in the least. This gesture was far from sacrificial.
I don’t share this story to either congratulate myself for my “generosity” nor to guilt anyone into giving more. Rather, I hope it’s a reminder to me and others – in light of God’s incredible generosity and blessings – to take minor setbacks in stride. Additionally, I hope we all consider how God wants us to use the abundance he has provided to assist some of the vast majority of the world that is far less fortunate than we are.
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How easily do you lose your equilibrium when you face a significant inconvenience? Do act like you really believe that God is in control?
How generous a person do you consider yourself to be?
Do you see giving as an obligation or a privilege? Can you think of some ways to make your giving more of a joyful part of your life?
(Jesus, in describing the destitute widow who gave two tiny coins), “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
Luke 21:3-4 (CSV)