What Can You Do?

She has done a good work for Me. . . . She has done what she could.

Mark 14:6, 8

D. James Kennedy tells of a Christian peasant woman living in Africa more than fifty years ago. People were bringing gifts as offerings to the Lord, but she had nothing to bring. When she appeared with a dollar to place on the altar, the missionary was suspicious of its origin, given her poverty. He inquired and discovered she had sold herself as a slave for life to a nearby plantation—for a dollar.

What this woman did for Christ shocks our modern sensibilities—and makes us squirm with shame. But it was the woman’s attitude, not her act, that should be our example. The apostle Paul said there is a lack of wisdom in making carnal comparisons (2 Corinthians 10:12). We should not try to be like others in our giving. Instead, we should ask the Lord, “What can I do? What can I bring?” The Magi brought expensive gifts to Jesus because they could.

The poor woman in Africa could not copy the wealthy Magi in actions, but she could in attitude—she brought what she could. Look around and consider what God has given to you that you could give back to Him (and don’t make the mistake of looking only for money).

Our goal is not to bring what God has given another but what God has given us.