Trusting God With Action

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” (Luke 21:1-4 NLT)

Wow! What a thing to have Jesus say. Would He say that about us?

While in prayer many years ago, the Holy Spirit asked me, Do you trust Me? To which I replied, “Lord, You know.”

We were living in a tourism town, and I loved working at the local theme park. God was meeting all of our needs, and I was content. But did I really trust God? Could I have done like the widow and given all I had? Over the next few years, we went through many trials. We lived in a hotel; we had to go to food banks and other financial hardships. God provided every time, which strengthened my faith. 

Jesus was not really focused on the widow’s money. It was really about her faith. She somehow knew that if she trusted God with everything she had, God would provide. What faith! What a good work!

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:16)

So, do works or deeds equal faith? No. But faith and love always lead to good works. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, obey my commandments.” As we understand God’s love for us, we can love Him more and trust Him more. This makes us want to do good works, which draws others to faith as well.

But won’t God love me more if I do good things? No. His love for you is not based on you. God’s love for you is based on His character and who He is. You can never earn His love nor stop His love. Romans 8:31-39 makes that clear.

Good works won’t save you. They do not impress God. It’s faith that impresses Him. 

God showed me I could trust Him, not because I earned it, but because of His love.

Then what about James 2:26? What does James mean when he wrote that faith is dead without good works?

I believe James is saying that people cannot see your faith unless you do good works. In the story of the widow, we can see her faith. We see it because she gave all she had to God. 

Maybe you’ve known and loved the Lord for years. If so, praise God. But do you trust Him with everything? I’m not going to tell you what good work you should be doing. That’s between you and God.

However, I do challenge you as I am now challenging myself. Ask God to show you how to trust Him more, and then do it. Maybe that means asking Him to forgive you. Maybe it means giving. Whatever the Lord asks of you, know He has a plan, invite Him in, and surrender to that plan. Your love and faith in Him will grow.

God sees you, and just as Jesus commended that widow, He will commend you.

I believe we would all want to hear Him say to us, as He said in Matthew 25:21,

“Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

~

Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.