The $3.08 Challenge

A profound thing happened today when I went to Hope for our Neighbors in Need’s weekly food pantry at Church of the Village.  I made an announcement to let everyone know that 23 people at Church of the Village are fasting this weekend to raise money for this food pantry.  I invited them to share their prayer requests, so that we may pray for them while we are fasting.

19 people who had come to the pantry gave me a prayer request, and 4 gave me money to support the pantry.  As I stared at the $3.08 which came in from 4 individuals who had come to the pantry for a bag of groceries, I realized I was witnessing Mark 12:41-44.

            [Jesus] sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury.  Many rich people put in large sums.  A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.  Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.  For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

4 people came to our food pantry this week for a bag of groceries, and placed money in a basket where we had only asked for prayer requests.  4 people gave out of their poverty today.

One woman said, “God bless your fast,” as she put in $1.  A man put another $1 bill into the basket, and said “I heard once about a man who had raised $1,000,000 in $1 bills, and maybe my $1 can have that kind of an effect here.”  One woman put $1 in silently, and the $0.08 was given anonymously.  Even the silent and anonymous donations speak volumes about hope.

If you are reading this, I want to challenge you to match the $3.08 given today by 4 people out of their poverty.  Give more if you able, but be inspired by these 4 individuals to give at least what they did out of their poverty. 

Donations can be given to any individuals who are fasting, or through the church website.  Here are directions for giving online:

1.   1. Click on this link: http://www.churchofthevillage.org/donate/
2.   2. Press the “Donate” button under Single donations
3.   3. Enter in your information, and press “Review Donation and Continue”
4.   4. Click on “Purpose of Donation” and write: 24 Hour Fast

(Optional: add the name of the faster you are supporting here)

1.   5. Click “Donate Now”