Earlier this week I was in a wives class with some women from church. The teacher posed a few questions that really caught my attention, not only intellectually, but also emotionally. Although I do not remember the exact phrasing, the teacher asked something similar to the following questions, “What are you willing to sacrifice for God and the work of the church? Have you really sacrificed for the Lord?”
The teacher also told us the story of a woman. This lady had an antique piece of furniture that had been in her family for many generations. A missionary couple was seeking support for their work and this lady sold the family heirloom so that the Word of God could be spread. I was amazed by the story because people do give money to the church; however, they do not usually sacrifice to give money to the church.
Although I usually feel that I am contributing to the work of the church, I cannot think of many times that I have truly sacrificed for the work of the Lord. I hope that I never allow earthly possessions or desires to keep me from giving to the Lord in any way that I can. I have a desire to always be eager to sacrifice for the Lord, and I hope that I never lose that desire. Christians should always be ready to listen to someone in need or pray for someone in need when that person needs them, not only when it is a convenient time to listen or to pray. Christians should be ready to sell a precious earthly treasure to promote the work of the church.
Sacrifice can be manifested in many different shapes. Sacrifice is most often thought of in a monetary sense; however, sacrifice can also come in the form of emotion or even time. Some people sacrifice by opening their home to others, even when it places a heavy burden on them. Other people sacrifice by spending time visiting someone in the hospital when they could be working. Still other people sacrifice by selling their possessions so that others who are in need might have. In Acts 2:45 the young church set a beautiful example: “And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” What are you willing to sacrifice for the Lord?