"To be the hands and feet of Jesus."

It's a phrase commonly spoken in the church community.  It's a desire to carry out the work of Christ.  In mission.  In service.  In love.

Too often I hear questions from within that community as to why some may be doing more than others.

It's important to know that as the Church, we are the Body of Christ.  Within that body, there are many, many functions, just as in the human body.  Take a look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. The question one must truly ask themselves is, "Am I serving as I was designed to serve?  Am I utilizing the gifts God has given me?"

I note the importance of our limbs.  They are important, but they are not vital.  We can live without them.  It was Christ in his Sermon on the Mount who said, if your eyes and your hands offend you... get rid of them.  In His words, pluck it out and cut if off!

These are parts of the body of which we have a level of control.  When we look at something, we can choose to look away.  When the urge to touch that which is prohibited arises, sometimes our overwhelming desires get the best of us, and we budge.  Only by our choice.  It was a figurative charge by Jesus, but one that would require serious measures to see real change in life!

Vital organs, on the other hand, function on automatic.  No only do they do what they were designed to do, they are something we cannot live without.  The heart, kidneys, lungs, or liver.  Remove these and that's it!  They are essential for life.

So what part of the body is more important?  The answer is none.  We cannot place one part of the body above the other.  What good are hands and feet without a beating heart?  Together, these separate physical functions form one physical body.

Just the same, we the Church are joined in unity to create the Body of Christ.  Our understanding of what we are called to do within that body help make it function with great effectiveness.  When we attempt to function as something we're not, we hinder what others are meant to do.  Not only do we get in the way, but we might even make a mess of things!

So don't fret if the big toe is walking, while you're doing all the talking.  That toe just might get stubbed.

Ouch... Bet you'll know how important they are then!

At the end of a Wednesday night kids service a few weeks ago, I was handed an envelope and told someone contributed an offering towards the church bus ministry.  I asked the deliverer who gave the offering?  They were unsure.  In the busyness of the evening I took the envelope, placed it in my shirt pocket, and went on with the evening.

I placed the envelope in my desk at the end of that event filled night, with the plan to get to it the next morning.  When I arrived the next day, it was the first thing I handled.  I noticed the envelope felt empty.  My initial thought was perhaps they wrote a check.  I looked on the front of the offering envelope to see the words 'big green bus' written, designating it to that particular vehicle.

Every week our church fills an old school bus, painted candy apple green, full with kids from our community.  Someone wanted to give towards that ministry to keep it going.

I looked at the name written on the envelope, only to realize it was one of the kids themselves who gave this offering.  When I opened the envelope, two pennies fell out.

I couldn't help but smile.

My mind immediately went to the widow at the end of Mark 12.  As Jesus observed the giving of those in the temple that day, he used the opportunity as a teaching moment to show the true intent of a person's heart.

The very wealthy came in that day, giving quite well, in fact.  I can imagine the great pride they must have had as they entered in their fine linens and upright stature.  I can almost see them lift their eyes and look around, hoping to see that they were being watched.  Surely people would take notice as they gave extravagantly?  Surely people would say, "look what they have done?"  They came, gave, and left without any worry or concern with what life might bring next.  What if they knew Jesus had been watching that day?

A small widow then came.  She had two coins left to her name.  She dropped them in.  No pomp or circumstance.  Her fear may have been that she might be noticed.  The judgment she might receive for such a small offering.  It was all she had.  No business expense account.   No savings to fall back on. Nothing.  What if she knew Jesus had been watching that day?

I'm certain their was no concern with how much either party gave, but rather where their heart was in giving.  Both gave out of obedience.  Both did what was necessary.  The difference lie in their expectations once they released any treasure they might have.

Those with abundance could give only out out their excess, because what they desired was notoriety. And that's what they got... noticed!

The poor widow woman gave everything she had.  What she had was not impressive by our set human standards.  What she truly had was a heart of worship.  I am quite sure she left that day without any concern that all would be okay.   There was no concern in her life, except one... to worship God!

A young child gave two pennies that night.  A small token showing they believe in what we do, because what we do has a direct effect on their life.  True worship, to say, "thank you God for the 90 minutes of hope, peace, and the chance to learn more about You every week.  I don't want to be noticed for this, but thank you God for a group of people who notice me!"

Two cents can go a long way.