Cost, or Offering?

My days in the big city have come and gone. They were filled with awe and reflection. Awe of what a mighty, faithful God we serve, and reflection on what I am willing to sacrifice for Him.

I spent a week of my time in the big city with five amazing young women from SEBTS, and their one fearless male leader. It was a remarkable time, in terms of results seen, as well as those unseen. Truly amazing. We opened each day with worship. We sang; we prayed; we dove into His story.

Wednesday morning, I shared the story of the woman with the alabaster flask of ointment (from Luke 7:36-50). This woman was willing to offer all that she had to Jesus. She poured out on Him the most costly thing she owned. Did she consider it a cost, or an offering?

I began to wonder, "How often do I see things I give to the Lord as a cost, rather than an offering? Am I willing to give to Him the most costly thing that I have?" This woman received the same salvation that I have. It is my prayer that I would all that I have for all that He has given me.

After our time or worship each morning, we headed to a local church to train women to use His stories to share with those who do not yet believe. The women that we trained understood cost. I wonder if they saw what they gave as cost, or offering.

Sheila was a dark-skinned, quiet lady who wasn't eager to share her story. After the first day of training, we wondered whether she was a true believer, whether she would return for another day of training.

To my utter surprise, she was right on time and ready to begin day 2. Day 2 began with going out in small groups to share the stories that had been learned on the previous day. As we headed out, Sheila was in my group.

We were warmly invited into the home of one who worships many gods. One of the women in the small group I was with shared her story. Immediately following, I heard, "my husband doesn't know I am here." These words were coming from Sheila. "He beats me when I come home, if he finds out I was at church," she continued, "so sometimes I can't make it to church." Her voice grew to be louder, more confident. "Jesus has changed my life. He has given me all that I need. He gives me peace and hope. He loves me. I choose to worship only Him. He wants to change your life, too. I want you to experience the peace that He can bring you," she shared with our host.

Sheila continued to share stories from God's word and encouraged our host to trust Jesus, and worship Him only.

Sheila understood cost. Or, did she count it an offering? Would I be willing to make such a sacrifice?

~Heather