My experience with the comfort and the discomfort of Scripture

By Dean Collins

A few days ago I said that reading Scripture can be a source of comfort, but it can also make you uncomfortable. Over the last 10 hours the same thing happened with something Jesus said to me. I didn’t see him on my Ring video doorbell, though that would have been pretty amazing! It started when I was feeling some stress over an upcoming conversation and maybe more for the results that could come from that conversation. I had already texted a few friends to pray for me, but the stress kept building.

I sat on the deck as the light from the setting sun was fading. The blue sky was already turning gray just before the stars would be visible. The phone rang, and it was one of my friends from my text group. “Talk to me” was his opener, and I poured it out to him. He couldn’t actually quote Matthew 11:28-30, but he got enough of it right that I could correct the quote in my head. I later repeated it to myself again as I was going to bed. Jesus can say some really comforting things. I didn’t get it word for word either, but close enough to receive the comfort and the promise Jesus made years ago. I quickly fell asleep.

Uncomfortable

But then when I got up this morning, made my coffee, and sat down to read Scripture, Jesus made me uncomfortable. If you read this he will make you uncomfortable, too, so you need to consider that before you continue. Don’t say I didn't warn you.

He started with “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes.” That did not bother me until I remembered that I have a robe I wear at commencement. And it’s long. But I don’t write legal agreements to exchange property or write contracts for loans or marriage; I have no expertise in the law. And I am no Old Testament scholar. Jesus went on about enjoying places of honor, and then he got pretty specific about taking advantage of widows and praying long prayers. I started feeling better because I typically pray short prayers and I don’t knowingly take advantage of any widows.

But then I watched as Jesus sat down and observed people putting money in the offering box. Back in the day, when everyone passed offering plates at church, didn't you sometimes feel uncomfortable with the usher who certainly seemed to be noticing what you put in the plate? Imagine what it would have been like to have Jesus watching.

Jesus said he saw many wealthy people produce some big checks. Then he watched a poor widow put in two pennies. He motioned to the disciples to lean in. The widow was still in sight when Jesus said she had contributed more than all of the others. I suspect the disciples thought Jesus might need some sleep or something to eat because he wasn’t making sense. They had seen the big donors and knew they gave vastly more than two pennies.

Jesus read their minds and explained his observation; the rich give out of their abundance but the widow gave out of her poverty. Jesus could tell she had given her last penny as an act of love and sacrifice to God.

Pressure

Much of my life I have worked in organizations that must raise money to fulfill their mission. Every college president knows the pressure of having to raise millions of dollars every year—every year. It is exhausting generally, with moments of exhilaration when you receive a large gift. People who give you large gifts generally want you to find someone else to give the large gift next time. I don’t blame them. No one wants to be a faucet to keep an organization alive.

Big donors are critical to the operation of every church, ministry, university, and mission. And big donors usually want to know if the organization is doing any work to expand its donor base and reduce the dependency on big gifts. It’s a fair point.

I suspect if all of us embraced the point Jesus was making then we would need fewer big donors to fund things. Jesus indicated that I could do more giving. You will have to decide if he has anything to say to you about your giving.

Remembering

Most every organization has ways of recognizing large gifts. There are giving levels, awards, and names on buildings to recognize givers. This morning I was remembering our biggest donor and wishing I had done something to honor them a few years ago, but they did not want any attention for their gift. They made that clear when I received it.

That gift came in a small, worn envelope. The address was written in pencil. There was no return address. The message inside was a torn piece of paper with the message that they wanted to help out in our time of need. The rest of the contents were two crumpled dollar bills. I didn’t know who it was from, but somehow think it was a widow who gave out of her poverty.

I remember feeling then the same emotions I feel right now as I finish these thoughts: gratitude and a sense of conviction that I can do more.

If we are going to follow Jesus, we will have to understand that he will sometimes make us comfortable and sometimes uncomfortable. It is all a part of how his transformation works.

Your time with God’s Word
Mark‬ ‭12:38-44; Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30 ‭ESV‬‬

Photo by Emilio Takas on Unsplash

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