Podcast (daily-devotion): Play in new window | Download | Embed
[expand title=”Devotion Text”]Mark 12:41-44
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, 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 the people putting money into the temple treasury. Some rich people were tossing in large amounts. In contrast to the wealthy and their clanging coins, a poor widow came. She put in two small coins worth only a penny. In response to her action, Jesus said, “this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.” How is that even possible?
In this account, Jesus teaches us an important lesson: Giving is not about amounts; it is about our attitude. Here the rich people were giving out of their wealth. There was no sacrifice to their offering. On the other hand, the poor widow “put in everything.” She had no husband to provide for her, no company pension, no life insurance, 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.
So…here are some questions to talk to God about:
- 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?
Talking to God
Father, remind me often that giving is not about the amount of my gift but the attitude of my heart. Check my heart. Forgive me for trying to impress you. You don’t need my money. You want my heart. Help me to give as an act of worship and dependence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
[/expand]
Today on The Journey Broadcast:
0 Comments