It's worth going Christian Aid collecting because of the insights it gives into people's lives and the unexpected things that happen! At one house I visited this week, I was greeted by a family who had obviously recently come to live in this country. The children seemed to understand my English as I tried to explain that I was collecting for Christian Aid, which was helping families and others in need around the world. "Ok, yes," they said, "please wait a few moments." I waited for quite a while and heard, through the door, various comments in a language I couldn't understand as well as the thumping of the children's feet as they ran around the house.
Eventually the door opened again and the family stood there smiling. They handed over a large plastic bag and the children said "here you are." More smiles, as I staggered down the path under the weight of the bag and its contents. When I was out of sight I stopped and looked in the bag to find that it contained a number of toys and other bits and pieces which were obviously possessions of the children.
This whole incident left me thinking about how important it is that we respond to the needs of others, and also how easy it is for most of us simply to put our hands in our pockets and make a donation to Christian Aid or other good cause. It seems much more of a sacrifice to give treasured possessions!
Jesus told a story about how easy it is for well-to-do to give money and feel good about it. He contrasted them with a poor widow who put in all that she had and therefore made a real sacrifice. Its true that Christian Aid, and most charities, are looking for financial gifts and it wouldn't help their work if we were all to start donating our most treasured possessions, but these stories do say something about the importance of sacrifice in our Christian discipleship. We may smile or be surprised at what happened, but let us make sure that we don't overlook the challenge that can often be presented to us in the most unexpected ways.
We must take to heart Jesus comment on the story - "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury then all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on." (see St Mark Chapter 12 verses 41-44)
Philip J Barker
