Something of value

I recently was flipping through television channels and paused at a nationally known T.V. preacher. He was telling a story of how God had led him to give away a cherished Harley Davidson motorcycle. His story caught me. The point he was making was that it is not just giving something to God that matters, it is giving something that actually has value to us. At this point his theology made a sharp turn as he developed the idea that if we give things of real value it will cause God to give back things to us of real value and cited some unexpected checks, etc.
But his core point was right on track and God used it to really speak to me. I found myself guilty of giving to God, but it was not a gift of real value because I never perceived myself as having parted with something that actually affected me. I have gotten fairly accustomed to life not counting a check to the church as living expenses so it really has come to have little value to me. What things I have found myself doing in personal ministry have fit in so nicely in the rhythm of my life that it really has not caused me to pause and think, "Do I really want to let this go?"
It was at this point that it really came home to me. That is the widow's mite point. It is when my giving something to God really gets over into the realm of giving out of what has personal value that it is even recognized by God. For that, my valuing Him over my stuff, is what He is looking for and is what I truly need. I do not give to God because He needs my stuff, but I need to find a way to express my need of Him. Handing over what values to me communicates that message. To give out of what I have but is not at that level of value communicates as well.