It is the little things that count! What about a new car?

Mark 12
The large crowd listened to him with delight. 38As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” 41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

The big things we do for others are important, don't get me wrong, but the little things...they show our true heart, I think.

In the scripture above, Jesus demonstrated how the widow gave so much more than the others, because she gave everything she had. To others it was a little bit! To Jesus? He knew she had given everything she had.

I find it amazing that Jesus sat and watched people put money in the temple treasury. On Sunday morning, I would never dream of watching how much everyone puts in the offering plate as it passes...although I have accidentally noticed some. I briefly wonder what people think of us, since we give online! Perhaps they are judging us as we pass the plate and put nothing in it. To others, we have given nothing. To us, we have given our best. We are so used to tithing that we sometimes forget that our giving our tithe is part of what sets us apart from the rest of the crowd here on earth. God knows what we do and don't give. He sits right there and watches every Sunday (online or in person). 

By this world's standards, my husband and I are living at a much lower level than we could, because we tithe. We could afford two new cars if we didn't tithe (...as little as that amount may be in comparison to others), as it is we cannot afford even one new car! However, God has provided in return for our faithfulness and sacrifice. We do have two cars. They are old. They have been paid off for years ,and they have not required much more than routine maintenance. We have done nicely financially and feel blessed that these cars have lasted as long as they have and as reliably as they have!

We can see that the cars are getting old and will need to be replaced, and occasionally I think about the money I tithe and a new car. I am kind of jealous of all those who buy/lease a new car every two years...for just a moment. Then the Holy Spirit brings me back. We are following what God wants us to do. It doesn't match up with this world's standards, but this world's standards aren't here forever. God is. Heaven is. We are storing up treasures in heaven with our tithes. We don't need a new car. We will have a new body someday! We will have eternity with God! A new car? That is nothing compared to heaven!

Father, thank you for always bringing me back to YOUR reality, focusing on the eternal things rather than the earthly things. Please continue to make our cars last until we can afford to replace them with reliable, newer cars with less mileage in your time...if it is your will! In Jesus name I pray. Amen!