How Extravagance Catches the Eye of God

When we hear the word “extravagant”, we often think about the opposite of who Jesus is. As we know, He came meek, humble, quiet in a manger.

And even more so, we know about The Blessed…

Blessed are….the weak, poor, hungry etc. as it talks about on the Sermon on the Mount.

But what if, when we think about God…instead of sandals, holy hands, and humbleness coming to mind…we think of extravagance? 

But scripture says nothing about Him calling His beloved, “extravagant”….does it?

We live in the town of Arlington, the umbrella city of Oso, where the mudslide occurred. My seven-year-old has been collecting change and bringing it to school, to help with a fund-drive to support those victims.

The other day, my youngest scurried around the house.  It was one of those days my “mom-alert” got signaled.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“We are collecting change for the mudslide victims and we only need $200. more dollars, but we need it in two days.” She says all in one breathe.

I dig in my purse, separate from the cupboard’s “collect all” cup, the money from China, Korea, Peru, and U.S.. Without hesitating, she scoops up what is O.K.ed to her.  I think nothing of it, as I am leaving on a plane this Friday and I have a ton filling up my mind.

I go outside, resting on the newly placed hammock, along the trees, over the clean cut grass. The closest place I will ever get to heaven here on earth. I need to think.  I need to let me mind rest.  I need this.  I need that.  I need way so much.

But even there, I see my little one running out the door barefoot, and scurrying to the car.  “What are you doing?”  I inquire again.

“I remembered, I saw two dimes on the floor of the car.  I need them, cause we are raising money for the mudslide victims.”  She repeats as if I had forgotten our conversation a couple minutes prior. 

“O.k. I mumble”, still wrapping myself in my world of “self”.

And all would be well, but then I cam inside awhile later and saw the counter filled with all the change from our household.  There on the counter, was my husband’s “collect change” jar.  It was emptied and placed into little bags.

But then I notice further.  The green frog.  The piggy bank her Grandma gave her to save all her pennies to go to college.  I knew there was at least $100.00 dollars in there.

“What are you doing?”  I say for the third time. 

“Dad gave me all his pennies.  I also want to give everything I have in my piggy-bank to the victims from the mudslide.”

I wrestle.  Doubt.  Fear.  Praise it all at the same time in my head.

I mean…

• What do you say to a child who thinks of others instead of sits in the hammock of her own self-absorption?
• What do you say to a little one who has not yet learned that the world thinks money is God, money is power, that people struggle in this life (whether rich or poor) with the fear that they just don’t have enough?
• What do you say, when the depravity and emptiness found in “loss” just hasn’t caught up with her yet.  And giving is the gift.  And offering all seems just as natural as the greediness we justify as if that in and of itself were not sin?
• What do you say when your daughter’s heart is filled with such compassion that she can’t just sit.  Rest.  Wait on pretty grass in her own oblivious state….but that she just has to do something!?

“O.K.” I finally say.  I mean, how can you tell a child not to give?

And as soon as those words slipped fearfully from my lips, another story comes to mind.

There were many.  They had a lot.  They gave, but only a little bit.  Just enough that it wouldn’t dent
their pockets.  Enough that it wouldn’t be noticed when it was gone.

There was another.  She was poor.  She had no income.  All she had was a little, what to us would be two coins….or two pennies.

Jesus called his disciples over to witness the churches collection.  And what He said is shocking.  Jesus said that the lady who gave two pennies gave more than all the money of the entire church put together.

O.K. maybe not in quantity….but because she didn’t give just a portion of what she hoarded…The widow gave all she had.

I think of my little girl.  I think of her digging through the car and running around the house in a frenzy, because she just can’t wait to give.

When had I done that lately?

And I think about how Jesus said He cherishes the poor widow, not because she gave much….but because she gave everything!

And oh how I want to be her.  My daughter.  The widow.  Oh how I don’t want to hoard, or ignore, or sit in complacency as the world perishes and I sit on my hammock dreaming.

Oh how I want to love with such a love overflowing….in a way that I simply can’t hold back, keep, weigh or question my own security.

Jesus called the poor widows giving “extravagant”, I finally end up reading to her in the Message, so she will understand.   I explain to her that that kind of giving makes Jesus stop and turn.  I scripture, He even alerted the disciples to the heart of one who held back nothing.

And isn’t that what He is asking of us today?

My friends. My prayer is, that although we count the cost, weigh and use well what He has given us….that in our heart of hearts…..we would be giving and digging and pursuing where He calls us too.  So much so that every last coin of our resources is placed like an offering, to Him.

Because God’s eyes truly are on the extravagant.  Yet what we often fail to get is that….

God’s extravagance often doesn’t look like ours.

***  Ladies, tomorrow is our Missional Women Conference in Denver, Colorado. Woo Hoo!  Just in case you are curious, the Missional Women Conference isn’t just for missionaries living in huts in Africa.  

The Missional Women Conference is targeted for all women, young and old, actively in ministry, or quietly sitting in their homes retired or raising children.  

Missional Women is about shining Jesus right where you are.  

The conference focus is about “How to be that light in practical ways, right around you”.  A “bloom where you are planted” kinda deal!  🙂 

You will explore new, broad ways to serve, be strengthened in an area you are already serving in, and discover the fullness of how you can be the “arms and feet” of Jesus in your very own community.

If you are even slightly interested, join our live stream of the conference FREE, by clicking….HERE 

Ladies, WE are the body of Christ, and it’s time we go into all the world and SHINE!!!!

Linking with Lyli,
Emily