Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” 2 Kings 4:2
“Give something, however small, to the one in need. For it is not small to one who has nothing. Neither is it small to God, if we have given what we could.”
Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390 in 365 Days with the Saints: A Year of Wisdom from the Saints, compiled by Carol Kelly-Gangi (Author) (New York: Wellfleet, 2015) 2.
I’ve decided to table research for a while and go back to researching quotes from saints through the centuries on generosity. Since I stood in the room (Hagia Irene, pictured above) where the first Council of Constantinople added five articles to the Nicene Creed, it got me thinking.
I want to research who was in the room and review any extant writings from Council participants. This led me to explore Gregory of Nazianzus. He was there, and he gives us today’s post! God wants all of us to give what we can. He can use it. He can multiply it. He only wants us to make it available for His purposes and glory.
Let me illustrate this in real-time. I’ve been praying on and off for the last few hours for Annie Robin, GTP Country Coordinator for Pakistan, and her team. Their women’s ministry in Lahore took up a collection for persecuted Christians in Jaranwala. You may have seen images of this situation in the world news.
She and her team hired a driver and took a collection to bless ten Christian families who have suffered great loss during these difficult days. Though they don’t have what many would describe as great wealth, they set a goal and rallied generous sharing, and gave what they had. It made a difference in the lives of those they served.
Soon I will get the whole story from her, but the good news is that their mission was successful. What do you have in your house, like Elisha asked the widow? Or a position of authority like Annie to inspire others to take up a collection? Do you have resources to contribute to someone with nothing?
Read more