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January 30, 2000
Rice Money
Their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. --2 Corinthians 8:2

In the province of Mizoram in India lives a group of Christians who have discovered a unique way to give to the work of the Lord. As the woman of the house prepares meals for her family, meals that consist primarily of rice, she measures out just enough rice to feed her family.

Then, before she cooks that rice, she reaches into the dish, grabs a handful, and takes it out. This she sets aside until Sunday, when she takes it to church and combines it with the rice brought by other women. The church then sells it and uses the proceeds to support missionary projects. One of the items purchased was a computer that is being used to help the Mizo people complete a translation of the Bible in their language.

It would be easy for people without much money to look at the little they have and decide it's not worth giving. Likewise, it would have been easy for the widow in Luke 21 to feel inadequate with her two small coins when she saw the large amounts the rich people put in the temple treasury.

God isn't interested in the amount as much as He is in a heart of sacrifice. That's why Jesus said the widow put in more than all the others (v.3). Can we honestly say that our giving is sacrificial?  — Dave Branon

The gifts we offer to the Lord
Are by His standards measured;
Our sacrifice and lives of praise—
Such gifts are highly treasured. —Sper
Sacrifice is the true measure of our giving.

Bible in One Year: Exodus 23-24; Matthew 20:1-16
http://www.rbc.org/devotions.aspx?id=4446
© 2009 RBC MINISTRIES, Grand Rapids, MI 49555 USA.
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