“So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” ~ Matthew 20:16

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” ~ Mark 12:43-44

I read a truly inspiring article in this morning’s newspaper.

It was about a small church in the large city near where I live; a tiny church, really.  The church is 38 years old, and has approximately 25 members.  Of those members, around ten earn a regular paycheck.  But this small, poor church does something truly incredible: every night, it opens its doors to provide a meal and shelter for twenty-five homeless women.

There is a larger shelter for homeless women nearby that can hold 125 women.  However, there are over 800 homeless women living in the city.  This impoverished church, in which even the pastor can’t afford to own a working car and hitches a ride to his church each day, is pouring everything they have into helping people who have even less than they do.

These humble people are living are living out their faith in such a way they are inspiring those who live around the church – because, as one of the church’s neighbors recognized, “What little they have, they are going to share it.”

This article flew in the face of the one I had read several months ago.  This article was also about a church, but it was about a mega church in California.  The pastor had been accused of embezzling over ten million dollars from the church treasury, yet still had the audacity to ask the congregation to make meals for his wife.  The real stinger of the request?  The pastor’s chauffeur would be picking the meals up, to deliver them to the couple’s home, via their limousine.

One church is making the news because the head of the church has lost sight of what church is for, mistaking its coffers as a way to bolster an extravagant lifestyle.  The other church is making the news for the right reasons – living out the message of Christ.  They don’t have much, but they are giving what they can, any way they can, to help people.

There are times I feel like people squander their opportunity for heavenly rewards on earthly gain, as did the pastor who lined his pockets with his congregants’ money.  But then there are times when people go beyond what even seems rational, like giving out of total poverty, because they know that Christ has promised them an abundant life, resplendent with riches in glory.  This little church may not have much now, but I have a feeling that their heavenly reward will blow them away.