The Sweetest Gifts - Sacrifice versus Wealth

In 1995, I celebrated my birthday in a country with a low standard of living. My husband and I were on a two month mission trip. 

One of the local Christians came to my birthday dinner and surprised me with a gift. When I unwrapped the small package, it contained a bar of soap, nothing special, just regular soap.

But that soap was one of the sweetest gifts I've ever received. Like the widow in Mark 12:41-44, my foreign friend had given generously from his limited income. 

I kept that soap for several years as a reminder of true generosity.

Compared to most of the world, we Americans are rich. What many people consider luxuries, we consider necessities. Yet most of us take our blessings for granted and complain that we don't have more.

Let's ask God to give us grateful hearts and a true understanding of our blessings.

For more encouragement, see the 1-minute devotion: In God's Economy, Sometimes Less is More.

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