It really isn't about the amount. Really.

So, last month, I spent three weeks visiting with folks and asking them to become a part of my financial partnership team. This can be hard for many people, but I've caught a new vision and understanding of it, and as a friend of mine said, came to minister out of it. First,  let me back up and quote you a verse.

"In [Jesus'] teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on." (Mark 8:38-44

Now, I know you and I both have heard lengthy expositions about this from folks more learned than myself. I'm not about to go into that, I just want to notice one thing about the context of this illustration. It wasn't about the amount dropped in the treasury, it was the heart behind it. Read it again, and think about it.

Now, as I talk to people about partnering with me, I often got, "I just can't give very much." As much as I would love to be fully funded (and I really would), I care more about whatever partnership the Lord has lead you to do. God has called us to differing roles, but it's all for the same purpose. Can you guess where I'm headed with that? Here's the text:

"What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building." (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)

I am called and able to go to the college students, you may be called to work and financially send others. Whether it is $5 or $5000, God sees the heart behind it and causes the growth. Do not discount your gift, and don't dismiss it as inconsequential. Let God work with what you have. And that's what I have to say about that.