Then A Poor Widow Came By And Dropped In Two Small Coins

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Then A Poor Widow

Came By

And Dropped In Two Small Coins.

Scripture

Luke 21

1 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 

2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 

4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

Observation

Jesus was sitting there at the Temple watching people give their offerings and He watched a poor widow put in everything that she had. She only dropped in two small coins … but it was everything that she owned. And we are still talking today about the sacrifice that she made several thousand years later.

So as I think about this story the main lesson from this story for me is this: My Heavenly Father is not as concerned about the amount or the size of my offering or the gift that I place in the offering plate as much as He is with how much I hold back for myself.

Application

When I am generous, when I practice sacrifice giving, that is when I am most like my Heavenly Father.

How about you? Stingy or Generous?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me look for opportunities to help people that You place in my path. Your love for me was and is extravagant. You left Heaven and came to this earth to suffer and die so that I might live. I didn't deserve it and I still don't deserve it, but You loved me so much that You gave Your one and only Son to give me eternal life. Thank You for being so generous with me.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 9,10; Psalms 131; Luke 21

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Give, And You Will Receive. Your Gift Will Return To You In Full – Pressed Down, Shaken Together To Make Room For More, Running Over

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Give, And You Will Receive.

Your Gift Will Return To You In Full – Pressed Down, Shaken

Together To Make Room For More, Running Over, …

Scripture

Luke 6

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.

Observation

Kathy shared with me some time ago something that Paul Tripp shared in a weekly devotional that he sends out via email and it is something that we keep talking about.

“…...................

Paul Tripp wrote:

“In simple terms, you and I are always viewing ourselves as either a container or a conduit for the money God gives us.

Either we want money to stop with us (container) because we have conceived many ways to make our life more pleasurable, or we think of ourselves as a pipeline (conduit) and are excited that the money can bless and benefit the lives of others.

God hasn’t provided for us simply to provide for us, but in providing for us, he has enabled us to be a means of his provision for others.

If you give yourself to the lifestyle of a conduit for the Kingdom of God, you get to watch your money do things that are literally of eternal consequence.”

….............”

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. (Proverbs 3:9–10)

It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

We are thankful for all the people who have been so very generous towards us, but Kathy and I realize and we are in agreement with what Paul Tripp shared in his devotional.

And that is this:

We are blessed to be a blessing to others. We are to be a conduit not a container.

You and I cannot out give God!

Application

I know that it is more blessed to give than to receive. So I will look for opportunities to be a conduit!

How about you? Generous or Stingy? Container or Conduit?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don't let me hold on to anything too tightly. I realize that this earth is not my home. I am just passing through. I know that You supply more than we need so that we can be a conduit, a pipeline, so that others can be blessed. Thank You for blessing us through the generosity so many wonderful friends who have blessed us with so much. Help us to do the same for the people that You place on our hearts. We know that we cannot ever out give You!

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 11,12; Luke 6

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