Revealing contrast speaks volumes

The Widow’s Offering
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” Luke 21:1-6 (NIV)

A Lenten commitment brings me into the book of Luke this season. A previously unnoticed contrast struck me recently: The story of the widow's mite is set in the temple grounds. Jesus observed the sacrifice of the widow giving all she had, and next we read of the disciples asking about the beauty that adorns the temple. Jesus' response is to talk of the destruction of such things and to encourage them to not be deceived.

Deceived by what? The false security of comforts that come and go and quickly fade? The impression that wealth provides safety, security, protection and evidence of “rich” faith?

Jesus knew the widow's heart; her motivation was the love she had for her God. She had no fear, reminding me of 1 John 4:18, which says there is no fear in love—perfect love drives out fear.

Do I have the love exemplified by the widow, or do I hold tightly to what will fade away? Do I have the courage to live like the widow? Am I willing to give all I have with no worry about tomorrow? These are questions I can carry with me throughout Lent, and beyond.

Ramsey: Only part of the story

Prior to my oldest getting married more than eight years ago, my wife and I provided tickets for our four children to attend a Dave Ramsey presentation. Each child was nearing the years when they would be managing their own accounts and moving out of the house, and our hope was to have them begin the good practices of budgeting and a commitment to debt-free living.

The presentation illuminated several good points about establishing wise habits in personal finance. At the conclusion of the event, a personal testimony was given, which included the assertion that young people should not go into debt for college tuition.

I was uncomfortable at the time and have since come to realize why I thought the example was problematic: The "pay as you go mantra" was based on a false assumption. For Ramsey, the college education is about the degree; the piece of paper at the end of the four years that helped you get a job, not about the life formation of thinking and character that develops during the college years.

In the past two weeks, several conversations with students and graduates have solidified my thoughts. Students shared with me the life-changing experiences and formation of character that took place during their time in Christian college. Vocation became about everyday life and choices; not just the job.

College education choices also have to be about stewardship of the mind and heart; developing both to full potential. Choosing an institution of higher education should not be based solely on the question: "Where can I go to gain a degree and remain debt-free"?

If a career is, as I believe, more about learning to live daily in fulfillment than getting a paycheck at the end of the month, then perhaps the education that prepares you for that career should be based on more than the degree at the end of your studies.