​LUKE 16:10  KJV
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much

DAILY READING Acts 26:19-32; 1 Samuel 1:1-2:10; Psalm 49 

Oseola McCarty was an 87 year old poor woman who astounded the world when she gave all her life savings to a scholarship fund to help students. A poor uneducated old woman, who never married, she had spent all her lifetime as a washerwoman, living frugally and saving every penny she could. She never had a car and walked, instead of taking taxis, so as to save money. Mostly her only trips were to her Church and to buy groceries.  Overtime from working hard, living frugally and saving her pennies, at 87 years she had accumulated money in the bank. And during July 1995, she donated to the  University of Southern Mississippi $150,000 for a student scholarship program. She said “I want to help somebody’s child go to college who needs it, I’m too old to get an education, but they can.”

She gave sacrificially without expecting any reward, but God turned everything around for her. She did not want any monuments, any proclamations, but her selflessness donation sparked national as well as worldwide attention. From being an unknown old poor woman, overnight she became an international sensation. The woman who acted in anticipation of death found a new life she could have never imagined. She found herself being honored around the world. The United Nations, the American President, and the Congressional Black Caucus honored her. She would receive more than 300 awards.

Along with all the plaques and trophies or other honors, she received the Presidential Citizen’s Medal, the nation’s second highest civilian award, and also an honorary doctorate from Harvard University. In 1996, she carried the Olympic torch. For the first time in her life, she flew in planes and stayed in  hotels. In her community Sept. 10 was declared the “Oseola McCarty Day. Her name was established in history. Though she died at 91 years in 1999, she had left behind a memorial just from one single selfless act.

In Luke 21:2, when Jesus watched the offering basket, He saw a certain poor widow casting in two mites, which was all she had. He declared that the poor widow had cast in more than everyone else. In Luke 21:3 Jesus said ‘Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. Why? Because she gave 100% of what she had. She didn’t have much, but she gave it all. 

It was not about the volume of what she gave, but the heart with which she gave it. In Jeremiah 17:10 God said ‘I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings’. God is really watching our hearts. When Solomon gave to the Lord out of love, God decided to make him the richest man of his time. When we love God we will be selfless in our giving, we will give whether anyone sees us or not. It is not what we take up, but what we give up that makes us rich. And when we love God no matter the level we are, we will serve Him with all our heart, whether anyone commends us or not. And this is what moves God to favor us. You may not have everything right now, but just be faithful where you are.  Work to please God and the God who sees in secret shall reward you openly. All the seed you have been sowing in secret, God is seeing and He is noting. He is preparing you for a season of open rewards. Just keep being faithful where you are. All the while Oseola was saving money in secret to help poor students; she didn’t know God was preparing to reward her in the open. God can change your story suddenly overnight.

You may say, ‘oh, but I have been here for so long and nothing seems to be changing.’ God’s timing is not man’s timing. God may not be early, but He is never late He is always on time. Anytime He comes is the best time. 

In 2 days God can do what you could not do for yourself in 200 years. It took only 3 and half years of ministry for Jesus to become the talk of the world. 

Psalm 75 says promotion does not come from the east, west or south, it comes only from God. 

Just be faithful where you are, God is seeing you. Your change can come overnight, just like it did for Joseph and David and Daniel. They had been faithful in the low and little place where they were, before God located them for a blessing. Don’t wait until you get to the mansion before you start serving God truly, don’t wait until you get that big break before you start being faithful in your tithe. He that is faithful in the little will also be faithful in the much. Be faithful in the little and God will reward you in the much. 

Matthew 24:45 says ‘Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

It is the faithful servants that will end up as rulers over God’s household, and the test for faithfulness starts in the little things. Oseola started small by saving her pennies and giving all she had and today God has immortalized her name as an open reward. God says when you do your alms in secret, He that sees in secret will reward you openly. So let’s be encouraged to keep doing  good, even when no one sees it, the God who sees in secret will indeed reward openly. 

PRAYER: Lord, help me to serve You selflessly, and to be a blessing to those around me. Deliver me from self and all the things that keep me from serving You faithfully. I receive grace today for renewed strength to serve You acceptably in Jesus Name. 

QUOTE 

The truth of God’s Word in the life of a believer is always reflective, the results can never be hidden. – WORDBITE 222.  

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]