You know the end of Job, “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10)
We know the end of Lazarus, at least after he took his last breath here, perhaps at the gate of the rich man, but we know nothing about the poor widow who gave her last two mites, either how she came to be poor, if she remained that way or was blessed with wealth.
“And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Luke 9:58) He did as far as we know for almost thirty years.
“For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.” (1st Chron. 29:15)
“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” (Heb. 13:14)
The earth is not our home; it does not matter what station in life the Lord has prepared for you here. If you are wealthy, beware the deceitfulness of riches, if you are poor, be content with that which you have been blessed with. We find our rest in Christ, not here, our pleasures await us there, all here is vanity and vexation of Spirit.
Look here at Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” If your wants are in line with the Word of God, all your wants are being provided for, as all your needs are.
It can be just as difficult to witness to the poor and lame as it is to the rich, one has all they need, or at least they believe they do, and the other wants all the rich have, or at least that is what they believe will make them happy. You must ask yourself this question, can one truly be happy without Christ, is there contentment outside of the Savior?
I believe as the days grow darker many will be put to the test, one that they fear above all others, the removal of what they see as security in this life. Whether it be house and riches or drugs and drink, the lost will complain, they will seek everywhere but to the Lord for relief from the pain. “I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.” (Amos 4:9)
It is one thing to read the account of that poor widow woman, it is quite another to become one.
Why give Job twice as much and let Lazarus die in poverty and pain, why this for one and that for another? You should know the answer, no matter the circumstances that come into your life, these words should come from your lips, “Thy will be done.”
If you can see that poor widow putting the last of her money in the offering with both a smile on her face and a little trepidation in her heart, then you understand. If you can see her not caring what happens to her, only that the Almighty would be glorified, then no matter where you are today, no matter the situation He has placed you in, then you understand.
The test, if the Lord decides it is to come into your life will show you not only where you stand today, but where you need to grow at, what is necessary for you to modify yourself so that He can be even further glorified in your life. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16)
Ask yourself this question my friends, who is glorifying Him more, the rich saved man who gives much from his increase, or the poor widow who gives all?
If you are in Christ, where you are is where the Almighty wants you to be, are you living proof of His mercy and grace today? Are you content?
