Circles of Blessing

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote about “cheap grace,” grace with­out serious cost, grace without a cross, cosmetic sharing and blessing not deeply felt. Charity also can be either cheap or costly. We can contribute without feeling the impact on our checkbooks or credit cards. We willingly share our money “off the top” and maybe even a little volunteer time. But we avoid long-term exposure to or lasting relationships with the disadvantaged of our cities or communities. Charity is fine as long as it leaves the givers in control. Jesus sits, watches, and then teaches his disciples about his observation. The poor widow’s sacrifice genuinely foreshadows one who gives all on a merciless cross in the con­summate expression of costly grace.
Years ago one of the young girls (call her “Annie”) from the nearby “projects” attended the church’s after-school program. The mother of her single-parent household struggled with alco­holism (a struggle she finally won). Annie’s mother lived a miserable life—especially in light of the poverty and addic­tion she faced daily. One afternoon before the program began, Annie knocked on my office door. When I opened the door, she handed me a surprisingly heavy small paper sack. The sack contained pennies she had accumulated over months. She wanted to contribute to the church’s after-school program, for which she thanked God. I held back tears until she left. Today, some twenty years later, Annie is a full-time member of the church staff and directs its children’s ministries program. God is still in the Easter business, transforming the widow’s mite or sacks of pennies into concentric circles of blessing. I thank God for Jesus’ truth and story. Believe it and do likewise!