Daily Bible Study

Tweet

Day 87 Luke 21:1 Luke 21:1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. You often hear about large monetary gifts given to the poor and needy, to victims of natural disaster. How often do you hear anyone praising someone who gave the smallest amount possible? You don’t hear about those people. Jesus was in the treasury of the temple watching what people gave to the work of the temple, and one person stood out. It wasn’t the person who gave the most, but the person who gave the least. He said in giving the least, she had given more than anyone there, because she gave everything she had. She didn’t hold anything back from God. As Christians, you know the condemnation you face from your family, friends, media when you give anything to God’s kingdom. Especially when you give God your rent and food money. That’s what the widow gave, she gave her rent and food money, the money to pay her bills. She didn’t hold anything back. Did she come under condemnation from those who knew her? Probably, but she gave it anyway, because she wasn’t giving it to the temple or the priests who would line their pockets with her two mites, but she gave her living to God who supplies everything. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (KJV) Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou do thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou do alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand does: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which sees in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Jesus observed the people who gave to the treasury. Those who were rich gave with lots of pomp and circumstance, making certain everyone knew how much they gave. Those men had their reward from the people who honored them. When Jesus observed the woman’s offering, it wasn’t with trumpets or anyone shouting how much she gave. She gave it because she loved God, and God who knew her heart gave her a far greater reward. Jesus proclaimed what she gave. Jesus proclaimed her gift to be the greatest one given because she gave from a heart devoted to God. What have you given to God, that is between you and God alone? Have you seen God’s hand of provision in your life as a result of your selfless giving to God? You don’t give to a church or organization. You don’t give to keep the lights on or send missionaries around the world. You don’t give so your pastor can take a vacation, buy a new car or home. The only reason you give your tithes and offerings is because you know God will bless you when you give it to him. When you give your tithes and offerings faithfully to God, God disperses the money where he wants it to go – to his work, which is spreading the good news of Jesus Christ to the world through missions, through the preaching of the Word. God disperses it, and God blesses the person who gives from a willing heart. Let’s pray: Father, help me give to your kingdom for the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so more people will know his love, mercy, and forgiveness. Look on me with your favor because I love you and worship you. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 17 November 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay