NOT PORTION BUT PROPORTION
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
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. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. 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. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
Mark 12:41-44 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
I often think of this passage of scripture when I hear the secular media getting all excited about someone giving $10,000 or $100,000 to some humanitarian cause. It strikes me as interesting when the person giving is making $25 million a year and the world thinks it is so generous of them to give that amount of money. Bible scholars tell me there were thirteen trumpet-shaped chests around the walls of the court of the women. This is where the people dropped in their offerings. The rich would come at a time when they knew many people would be present and they would bring their offerings in coins that would make a loud sound when they threw them into the chests. But there was a poor widow came and brought two small coins—no show or applause from others for her tiny gift. But Jesus uses this moment as a teaching moment for His disciples. Jesus said she gave more than anyone. The rich gave out of their abundance, she gave all she had. In the kingdom of God it is not about the portion but the proportion. It is not what you give but what you have left over that impresses God. In my years of pastoring I have seen many people who gave sacrificially for the sake of the kingdom, I have also seen some who wanted to be recognized for their contributions. I’ve lived long enough to see that those who gave with the right motive were always blessed. Those who gave to impress people got their reward from the people they impressed. Cindy and I choose to accept our recognition from God. We want God to be impressed with our hearts of sacrifice. We want to be sure we are giving out of gratitude not compulsion or an attempt to impress.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit please help me to be a generous person. Help me to give with a willing heart. Help me to give sacrificially without expecting recognition from man.
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