Day Seventeen
Refined In Taste
Proverbs 31:22...She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made]...
As we read today's scripture verse in Proverbs, our minds can be quickly transported to thoughts of how wonderful it would be to have riches...the best of clothing...the richest of fabrics and furnishings...things of substance and quality. And the phrase, refined in taste, would tend to make us think of those who are knowledgeable of the better things that this world has to offer, be that furnishings, clothing, homes, cars, positions, etc. One might also look at the Proverbs 31 woman and think that she had it easy because they must have been people of influence and got all the breaks in business and life. Her husband was known and respected in the public eye and had a place of authority. Look at the opportunities that came her way, with different merchants, being able to buy lands and even having servants. We might think, "Hey, I could do well too if I had money and position and good opportunities. I could be generous and give more to others too." How many times have we thought that if only we had money, we would do better, live better and give more of ourselves? But is that the truth?
In Mark 12:41-44, we find Jesus teaching His disciples...And He sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the crowd was casting money into the treasury. Many rich [people] were throwing in large sums. And a widow who was poverty-stricken came and put in two copper mites [the smaller of coins], which together made half a cent. And He called His disciples [to Him] and said to them, Truly and surely I tell you, this widow, [she who is] poverty-stricken, has put in more than all those contributing to the treasury. For all they threw in out of their abundance,; but she, out of her deep poverty, has put in everything that she had - [even] all she had on which to live.
The significance of today's verse in Proverbs 31 is not about her wealth, nor her station in life, but of her heart motive; that she was faithful with what she had been given, which in turn, poured out through her to others. Furthermore, the importance of the scripture in the gospel of Mark is not about the widow's poverty, but about her heart motive, as well. I think we can safely say that her offering did not add riches to the treasury. But, interestingly enough, she is used as an example of giving out of an obedient heart, just as much as the Proverbs 31 woman, who gave out of an obedient heart.
The Apostle Paul tells us in the book of Philippians...for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having sufficiency and enough to spare, or going without and being in want. I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self sufficient in Christ's sufficiency] Philippians 4:11(b)-13.
You know, as we walk out our lives as Christians, some being people of affluence and others being people of meager means, we have two choices...walking after the Spirit of God or catering to the flesh. We see, through the Word, two women - the Proverbs 31 woman and the widow; one had position and prosperity and the other had nothing. But both are used as examples because of the attitude of their hearts. What does our heart reveal?
Some synonyms for 'refined' are...
sophisticated...advanced...superior...polished...distinguished...developed...
experienced...cultured...gracious...cultivated. And while we may immediately think of position and wealth, let's look at this again...the Proverbs 31 woman being refined in taste was not a result of her life circumstances. It was the effect of obedience to the call of God, and then walking and laboring and being faithful in what she was given. And the fruit was a matured woman of God, who was...polished...developed...experienced...cultivated...etc. This does not come from having money! It comes from being faithful and growing and maturing with what God gives us. A person of meager means can walk in just as much distinction as the other, given the proper focus on God. The widow's obedience in giving touched the heart of Jesus. It distinguished her from the rest. Her faith was developed enough that she gave all she had, knowing that God would not abandon her, but that her needs would be met. Summarily, both women gave of themselves, no matter what their circumstances.
We have the awesome task, in our lives, to be reflections of Christ to this world, no matter what our situation is. There are millions of people, from all different types of backgrounds, some having much and others having little. What will our impact be? Will we live lives catering to what our flesh wants and always looking for more? Or will we learn to be content in whatever state we find ourselves, as the Apostle Paul wrote, growing and maturing in God, thereby touching those around us?
The following is an email I received from my sister, Debbie, who lives in Colorado...may it touch your heart...
Through a series of events, I met an older homeless man this past summer and became somewhat acquainted with him, and aware of his circumstances. I walk our dog at a particular park twice a day, so I had the opportunity to speak to this man quite often. As the months grew colder, Rick (Debbie's husband, who does not know the Lord) and I was able to give this man some quilts, one of which my Grandma Dove had made. I believe the quilt to be around 30 years old. It was very, very heavy and warm. We were also, at times, able to give him food. I remember when we gave him the quilt, he cried. He was very embarrassed, but so thankful for the warmth.
The last time I saw this man was in October when my Mom and her husband were here visiting from North Carolina, and we had lunch with him and several other men at the park, where this man lived. He explained to me that he was being harassed by some younger men, and was moving his home (an old orange and white suburban) to another part of town where he felt he would be safer. This man had severe problems with his feet, and wears foam and cotton boots that he got at the VA hospital, and his hands are swollen and gnarled from severe arthritis.
On Christmas Eve, around 5:00 p.m., I was walking our dog in the park, as is our regular custom,a and I looked down the road and saw this homeless man walking towards me. It was very cold and windy and I was in a hurry to get back home. He came and gave me a hug, kissed me on the cheek and asked if we could go to a bench for a moment - he was carrying a local grocery store bag. We walked over to the bench, speaking a bit, and he told me that the day before Thanksgiving, he had gotten into a small efficiency apartment. He had lost his vehicle, but now had a room. This new home was located approximately 10-15 blocks from the park where I walk our dog.
This man pulled out of the bag a warm, apple pie that he had baked for me and my family for Christmas. There was also a card he had made 'To Debbie and family'.
With very little funds, this man had purchased the supplies to bake the pie for us. And with his gnarled, arthritic hands, he baked the pie for us, from scratch. And with his terribly deformed feet, he had trudged the blocks to deliver the pie to us.
We give many gifts to many people, but do we ever really pay a price to give of ourselves? We're willing to give if it doesn't hurt us too much or if it lines up with our plans, or if it doesn't conflict with our routine, or if it doesn't cut into our budget to the point where we would have to go without.
I will never, never, as long as I live, forget the cost this man paid to deliver a warm pie for me and my family on Christmas Eve. He paid a price physically. I will also never forget Rick's reaction to this man's act of giving. This man truly gave of himself, out of what he did not have to give...
Let us take a lesson.
...And He sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the crowd was casting money into the treasury...
A hearts' cry...Father, my hearts' cry is to give, as You would give, of myself, no matter what my circumstances...