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Saturday (6/6): "This
poor widow has put in more than the rest"
Scripture: Mark 12:38-44
38 And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to
go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places 39
and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,
40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They
will receive the greater condemnation." 41 And he sat down opposite the
treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came, and put
in two copper coins, which make a penny. 43 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 treasury. 44 For
they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty
has put in everything she had, her whole living."
Meditation: What is true religion and devotion to God? Jesus
warns his disciples against the wrong kind of religion. In his
denunciation of the scribes (the religious experts of his day), he warns
against three things: the desire for prominence rather than selfless
service; the desire for deference and recognition (and seeking esteem
from others) rather than seeking to promote the good of others through
humble service and love; and thirdly, attempting to use one’s position
(even a religious position) for self-gain and self-advancement. True
religion is relating rightly to God and to one’s neighbor with love,
honor, and respect. The Lord puts his Holy Spirit within us that we may
be filled with the joy of his presence, the joy of true worship, and the
joy of selfless giving and love for others. True reverence for God frees
the heart to give liberally, both to God and to neighbor.
Jesus taught his disciples a dramatic lesson in giving with love.
Love doesn't calculate; it spends lavishly! Jesus drove this point home
to his disciples while sitting in the temple and observing people
offering their tithes. Jesus praised a poor widow who gave the smallest
of coins in contrast with the rich who gave greater sums. How can
someone in poverty give more than someone who has ample means? Jesus'
answer is very simple: love is more precious than gold! Jesus taught
that real giving must come from the heart. A gift that is given with a
grudge or for display loses most of its value. But a gift given out of
love, with a spirit of generosity and sacrifice, is invaluable. The
amount or size of the gift doesn't matter as much as the cost to the
giver. The poor widow could have kept one of her coins, but instead she
recklessly gave away all she had! Jesus praised someone who gave barely
a penny – how insignificant a sum – because it was everything she had,
her whole living. What we have to offer may look very small and not
worth much, but if we put all we have at the Lord's disposal, no matter
how insignificant it may seem, then God can do with it and with us what
is beyond our reckoning. Do you know the joy and freedom of giving
liberally to God and to neighbor with gratitude and love?
"Lord Jesus, all that I have is yours. Take my life, my possessions,
my time and all that I have and use them as you desire for your glory."
Psalm 71:8-9,14-17,22
8 My mouth is filled with thy praise, and with thy glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my
strength is spent.
14 But I will hope continually, and will praise thee yet more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of thy righteous acts, of thy deeds of salvation
all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come, I will praise thy
righteousness, thine alone.
17 O God, from my youth thou hast taught me, and I still proclaim thy
wondrous deeds.
22 I will also praise thee with the harp for thy faithfulness, O my
God; I will sing praises to thee with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
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