In yesterday’s “Up!” I talked about being a “giving person.” (If you missed it you can review it here.) That’s something I think we can all agree is a good thing.

We looked at the story of the widow’s offering. After some rich people put a lot of money into the temple treasury and the poor widow put in a few coins, Jesus observed that “this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.” Why? Because “They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44, NIV)

Reflecting on this story and bringing it into our own day, I said that if you’re not giving up something, you’re not really giving. Maybe you give up your time, or your energy, or your money… or your comfort zone!

Whatever it is, when you truly give up something, you stretch yourself. Since you have to rely on God more, your faith is fertilized in the process.

But what happens after that?

Well, if you’re really giving up your time or your energy or your money or your comfort zone, you’ll probably need to rest and recuperate. But it doesn’t end there.

When it comes to serving others, what you give up God fills up with something greater.

And that something greater is joy and a more meaningful life.

When you serve and help others, you are a part of God’s mission to bring healing and hope to the world.

When you serve and help others, you have a purpose that is greater than you.

When you serve and help others, you get distracted from your own temporary problems and are reminded of God’s eternal promises.

If your heart is truly in it for the Lord, when you serve and help others you may be tired from time to time, but you won’t stay that way forever. Because joy and a more meaningful life will start to invade your soul.

When it comes to serving others, what you give up God fills up with something greater.

By Matthew Ruttan