Out Our Way:

Mark 12:41-44:

Out our way, legendary characters are part of our history. Long George Francis, "the Gentleman Outlaw," "Buckskin Mary" - the world-champion female bronc rider, Kid Curry and his pals Sundance and Butch Cassidy, Chief Joseph, The famous 10th Cavalry "Buffalo Soliders" and their commanding officer John "Black Jack" Pershing, to name some of the more well-known local celebrities. During my time as manager of the H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum, I got to know of quite a few legendary characters.

Now, Goliath also has a few legendary figures on his mind from the horse world, not the least of whom was the great race horse Seabiscuit. Of course, we all know this is not race horcse country and Seabiscuit wasn't from around here, but he remains a legend in the stables and corrals out our way nevertheless. Because, you see, what made Seabiscuit a champion was not his size, breeding or even talent. It was, above all, his heart.

 I gather Seabicuit raised a few eyebrows when his owner first entered him into a race because, to be honest, he didn't look like much. But along the way, those sneers turned into admiration as that horse ran the race with all he had - and put bigger and stronger horses to shame. His trainer said of him, "Its his heart that made him a champion."

 In the text Goliath selected for this week, he noted how the poor widow's small coin was of far greater value than the riches of the wealthy scribes and Pharisees. Though the amounts seemed huge in the eyes of the world, compared to what they had it was a pittance. Like the mutli-billionaire who donates $500,000 to a cause, it souns impressive - until you consider the percentage of his or her vast wealth it actually represents. Three percent of a billion may be a lot of money to us, but not to them. 

So it was with the Pharisees who wanted everyone to note how much they gave - because they received great praise for it - and it actually cost them very little. The widow, on the other hand, had virtually nothing, but gave what she had. Granted, her gift did not buy very much for the Temple establishment or the good work they were supposed to use if for, but it did wonders for her. For she gave from the heart - out of love for God and for neighbor.  She was blessed in being a part of God's work in the world. 

You see, God blesses the heart, not the pocket book. In her generosity, the widow was closer to God and her neighbor because her gift was from the hart. It meant something. The rich folk who gave out of abundance, more for the show than the work, recieved nothing, for their hearts were not in it - only the egos. The world praised them, but God did not, for they gave out of pride and not out of love. Like those folks I mentioned who donated $5,000 each for a plaque on a square of concrete that formed a sidewalk that went nowhere at a famous TV preacher's resort. How many hungry were fed, how many missionaries were sent forth, how many school books were donated to poverty stricken third-world schools?

As most of you know, there is a crisis here on the Hi-Line. As you have probably heard from your pastor, the Salvation Army has been overwhelmed with requests for aid this winter and the funds are gone. Yet the need continues and is rapidly growing. Maybe we all need to take a look at the example of the widow just as Jesus did.

There aren't many wealthy rich folk among us - and to be honest, the few I know are following the widow's example and giving without fanfare, but from the heart. And I also know of more than a few widows and widowers and folks on fixed income who are doing the same.  

The Apostle Paul talked about running the race to win. Like Seabiscuit, it's all about heart. And God doesn't count the number of coins but the value of the giver's heart.

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John Bruington and Goliath serve in Havre at First Presbyterian Church and celebrate the ministry of all of God's people on the Hi-Line as together they form the true Body of Christ.