Great Giving Gets an Honorable Mention from God
TODAY’S BIBLE READING: Mark, chapters 9 through 16
SCRIPTURE: Mark 12: 41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
OBSERVATION: It just so happened this morning that someone offered me twenty dollars to give to someone else in need. I know that the lady giving the money has very little to begin with and I hesitated taking it from her because of her lack. But then I thought that it just may be that the Lord wanted to bless her and moved her heart to give to open that channel of blessing for her, so I received the money. I thought of her as I read this passage today. “She has put in more than all those who have given…” I’m reminded that God looks on the heart. He sees love being expressed in a tangible way when I give. He sees faith when I give sacrificially and only He truly knows when it is indeed a sacrifice. We tend to honor the amount given, God honors the amount we have left. To whom much is given, much is required. I think the more we have, the harder it gets to give sacrificially. I also think that as we get older, the harder it gets to give sacrificially. There are many people in God’s “hall of fame” that I want to emulate. David, Joshua, Jeremiah, to name a few. Today I’m reminded of an unnamed hero of the faith that set the example for me. She needs to be emulated too.
APPLICATION: I have to look at my giving. Not only money, but time, attention, talents, etc. Often I tend to “analyze” the need and my ability to meet it. I’m reminded that Jesus is watching each offering, and that He knows the breadth and depth of my true giving. Today, by the grace of God, I’m going to be very conscious of the needs around me and position myself to give, not sparingly, but generously, even sacrificially.
PRAYER: Lord, no one can be more like You than when they give. You so loved the world that You gave Your best. Help me today to open my eyes to need and lack around me. Help me to give in such a way that it would bring an “honorable mention” from You and You only. I don’t need to be seen of men, I’m already seen of You!
