Jesus
Sat Down Near The Collection Box …
And
Watched
As The Crowds Dropped In Their Money.
Scripture
Mark
12
41 Jesus
sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the
crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts.
43 Jesus
called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth,
this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making
contributions.
44 For
they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has
given everything she had to live on.”
Observation
Fascinating
to me that Jesus would take the time to sit down and watch people
give their tithes and their offerings. He knew this widow would give
her last two small coins.
He
knew that day that she would give everything that she had to live on
and He wanted that event to be celebrated! And it is every time
someone reads about it in scripture.
Her
sacrifice did not go unnoticed and if we give sacrificially our
giving won't go unnoticed by Him either. It will make God smile!
It
actually bothers some people when a pastor starts talking about
tithing and giving. They act offended. They even question a pastor's
motives. I have actually heard some people insinuate that the church
is only interested in their money!
Maybe
you have even thought that or worse yet maybe you have even said
something like that!
The
truth is my friend that when you and I give, especially when we give
generously that is when we are most like our Heavenly Father! He
gives extravagantly!
If
a pastor or a church misuses the monies that you give then they will
have to answer to God.
What
God's promises you and me if we are generous in our giving stands no
matter what!
Here
are few of His promises to any of us who would dare to give
generously:
Luke
6:38
38 Give,
and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed
down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured
into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get
back.
Malachi
3:10
Bring
to the storehouse a full tenth of what you earn so there will be food
in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord All-Powerful.
“I will open the windows of heaven for you and pour out all the
blessings you need.
2
Corinthians 9:6-7
6 Remember
this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop.
But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You
must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give
reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who
gives cheerfully.”
Application
I
will be a cheerful giver. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, Kathy and I are so blessed. You have been so generous to us.
People have been so generous to us. Help us to be generous. Help us
to be cheerful givers. Don't let us be stingy. Show us that there is
no way that we can out give You! I pray for people reading this blog
who may have difficulty with messages on giving and struggle with
being generous with what You have allowed them to manage. Help them
to realize and keep reminding me that nothing we have is ours. It is
all Yours and You have only loaned it to us for a few short years
while we live here on planet Earth.
Daily
Bible Reading: Job 23,24; Mark 11,12
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