In 1995, I celebrated my birthday in Bulgaria while on a two-month mission trip, sharing Christ with those who had been trapped in atheistic communism for 45 years (1944-1989).
Bulgaria was only beginning to recover from the effects of Communism, one of which was a ruined economy where the people had only the most basic necessities.
Because of this, I was surprised when 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.
BLN
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, generous hearts and a true understanding of our blessings.
💙💙💙
For more encouragement, see the one-minute devotion: In God's Economy, Sometimes Less is More and When Prosperity Devours Our Blessings.
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