03/08/2014

Written by Amber Tafao

The most commonly associated practice with Lent is that of giving up. At some point in in Church history, that “giving up” became primarily about some type of food or drink, and even more common in the present age, something technological. What does giving up those vices do for others though? Yes, there is value in giving something up that has gained some measure of control over you, but what about giving something up that will bless others rather than just yourself?

Consider, especially if you have children, getting a shoe box or jar or envelope, decorating it, and labeling it with this verse, Matthew 25:40: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Then, every day find some loose change, empty your pockets, go through your couch cushions, check your car trays, or decide on an amount to give sacrificially above and beyond what you tithe and give to ongoing ministries.

Pray about how God will use that collection at the end of the Lenten season and bless someone else with what you’ve decided to give up. Make it a practice to look up first, look out second, and only after that then to look within.