Giving Small

Her name is Marjorie Ridenour.

She is 85 years old.

She has two children who she loves to death.

Her beloved husband passed away over 15 years ago.

She makes unbelievable chocolate chip cookies

She believes wholeheartedly that “God had a path for her in life”

Now that you are acquainted a little bit, allow me to tell you why I had the pleasure of meeting this incredible lady.

A while back a local newspaper in my area did a story on this World Race trip that I am doing. I had gotten some comments from people in the few days afterwards but not much in the way of monetary support. That is until an unexpected phone call came one morning. My mom answered and on the other line was the voice of an elderly lady asking respectfully and kindly if she could talk to Nate Evans.

She explained that she had read my article and wanted to support me. She asked if I could stop by her house and pick up a check she wanted to give me. I, of course, agreed and the next day arrived at the doorstep of a loving, kind widow named Marjorie Ridenour.

She immediately invited me in, offered me cookies and told me repeatedly how “lovely” she thought I was for accepting Christ at such a young age. (That was mentioned in the article) We talked, she shared about her kids and how she has supported Billy Graham for “very long time”. As I got up to leave she handed me a check for 50 $ and said:

” I know its not much but its all I can give and I pray the Lord will bless you for what you are doing.”

Verse 44 : They all gave out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.

As I left that house I was absolutely blown away by the sacrifice of this widow, who is scratching to get by and is living on half of her deceased husband’s pension. Who gave out of genuine heart to a person she barely knows because the Lord had led her to do it. I can’t think of a donation I have gotten that has meant more to me.

Be Honest: Is anyone reading this right now thinking….” 50$ ? Yeah that’s cool and all Nate but didn’t you say you needed to raise almost 14,000 dollars for your trip? Is it that big of a deal?”

I think we have lost perspective on the small, genuine gift.

I know I have……I have often daydreamed about a rich guy finding out about the trip I am doing and dropping like 10 G’s on my trip, basically taking care of all my support needs. But the Lord is showing me that my support is going to come through “poor widow” type gifts and not rich people writing checks out of their abundance.

So I ask you : Have you become enamored with the big and lost perspective on the small and genuine? Have you dreamed of leading thousands to the Lord and lost sight that even leading one soul from life to death is a reason to celebrate with unbridled joy? Have you hoped to give thousands to the “Lord’s Cause” one day and forgotten that it was a fraction of a penny given by a widow that made the Lord go “Hey!!!!! Disciples!!! Come here! Come here quick! Check out this widow. Yes she gave small but she gave out of genuine heart! She gave out what she had.”

Has all this caused us to think the Lord is only impressed when we really drop some serious money for him?

20 bucks. 10 bucks. 5 bucks. Maybe you are so strapped right now that is all you can give but how exited the Lord will get when you do! How proud he will be! And oh the difference you can make! Small gifts make a difference. Small gifts change lives. Small gifts matter.

I challenge you to follow the lead of a poor widow named Marjorie Ridenour

Give Small. Give Genuine. Give Now.

Here is a list of suggestions of organizations/people to give to……

Of course if the Lord leads I am still in great need of support. Which you can do by clicking on the support tab on the left hand side of my profile.

Here are some other very worthy organizations(Who all have one time online giving available):

www.persecution.com
– Give to Christians that are suffering for Christ around the globe

www.ijm.org
-Give to International Justice Missions , a Christian organization who fights for orphans, widows and the oppressed worldwide.

www.worldvision.com
-One of the most respected Christian organizations in the world that battles poverty and helps children everywhere.

www.habitat.org
-Christian organization that helps rebuild peoples lives by giving them a place to live

www.bloodwatermission.com
-Founded by Jars of Clay for the purpose of building wells for 3,000 dollars that will give an African village clean water for its lifetime. (Lack of clean water being one of the #1 killers of people worldwide)

Or find an organization that you are passionate about or something locally you can give to during this Christmas season or anytime of the year.