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[expand title=”Devotion Text”]Mark 12:41-44
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything–all she had to live on.”
Jesus and his disciples sat in a very strategic spot that day. From their vantage point, they could see those putting money into the temple treasury. Some rich people were in the crowd and threw in large amounts. It takes a lot of effort to throw in large amounts of money, and just imagine the sound all those coins made. In contrast to the rich people and their clanging coins, a poor widow came. She put in a couple of small coins worth only a few cents. In response to her offering, Jesus made this astounding claim, “this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.” How is that even possible?
In this story, Jesus teaches us this important lesson: Giving is not about amounts; it is about our attitude. The rich people gave out of their wealth. Honestly, they never missed what they gave. There was no sacrifice to their offering. They gave a lot but they had a lot left over. On the other hand, the poor widow “put in everything.” She had no husband who provided for her, no company pension, no life insurance, and no retirement plan. She gave “all she had to live on.” She worshiped God not only by her sacrificial giving but also by her daily dependence.
Here are some questions to assess your giving. Do you give only out of your wealth? Do you give only what’s leftover? Do you give sacrificially? Do you give as an act of worship? Do you give as an act of daily dependence? Remember, giving is not about the amount you give; it is about the attitude with which you give it.
Father, check my heart in this area and then show my heart to me. Forgive me for trying to impress You with amounts. You don’t need my money. You want my heart. Help me give as an act of worship and dependence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
[/expand]Read through the Bible this year:
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