"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"
Mark 12:41
Mark 12:41
Can you hear the sound of the money as it lands in the Treasury? As her coins fell Jesus watched.
It was an obligation for those coming into the Temple to place a silver coin in one of the many Treasury boxes placed within the Temple. The very poorest people were allowed to give the smallest coin of value, a copper coin, a mite. The Treasury was collected to help with the cost for the wood for the altar and other Temple up-keep.
The first coin she gave was what she knew to be her obligation but the second was her offering to the Lord. Did you notice that Jesus told the others that the woman was poor and had given everything she had? He could have easily known she was poor, perhaps by the way she was dressed or by the copper coins but the only way He could have known that she had given all she had was because He was God, all-knowing God.
Our Omniscient, all knowing God watches what we give. Our giving is not just what we place in the offering plate each Sunday. God watches what we give of our time, talents, and time. In the Greek the word watched is translated observed and means to view attentively, view mentally, perceive with the eyes, to discern. The Lord views attentively and discerns the gift we offer Him.
Barton Johnson, the writer of one of the commentaries I read said this about giving:
The worth of a gift is to be determined, not by intrinsic value, but by what it costs the giver. The measure of that cost is what is left, not what is given.
I had to ask myself, what have I placed in the Lord's Treasury lately?
6 Comments:
Luke 6:38
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
She gave all she had. She who was faithful with a little will be given charge over much. She who was humble will be exalted.
As we read these teachings of Jesus, there is such a wealth of wisdom in few words. They were simple lessons, easily missed by people looking for great pronouncements! I am doing the same today. This study has refocused me to look at the simple lessons and say to myself "just do it!" This is the way to eternal life! Love one another; be humble, give freely! Notice each other, pray, give, hold a hand, shed a tear, laugh! In this way you will have life and have it abundantly!
So why is it not so easy! As I get wrapped up in the details of life; packing, moving, selling house and goods, I focus on me, on all there is to do, I don't look around me and see the much greater needs of others. I stress rather than pray. My pride gets stepped on and I am hurt. Then I find myself in deep prayer, asking God to forgive me for my sins. Then He enriches me with His word again; with simple lessons on how to live. I don't want to be like the Pharisees who "strained the gnats" but swallowed the camel instead!
As you focused on a few days ago Wendy; "open my eyes and heart Lord, I want to see."
Thank you again!
Karen, Basel
Wendy, that quote by Barton Johnson - powerful! "The measure of that cost is what is left, not what is given." So ofen I give out of my "much", not feeling the sacrifice. To give not only when it's hard, but to give all, that's what Jesus desires. Not just monetarily, but all of me as well.
I had no choice what to write about today. I'll share the verses first and then explain.
“For you are like whitewashed tombs - beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:27-28
When God repeats a lesson to me three times in less than 24 hours, I need to take notice. The above verses came to my mind yesterday afternoon while reading my friend Elaine’s blog. (http://www.peaceforthejourney.com/2009/10/sundays-better.html) At church last evening our Pastor’s son, Graydon, used them as an illustration in his message. This morning they appear in my reading. What is the Lord saying to me? What message does He want me to understand? What root of misconception does He want to dig up and what truth does He desire to plant in my heart?
I confess that growing up, I was one who judged by appearance. If someone was dressed a certain way, I would assume much about their personality, character and conduct. Pretty outside meant pretty inside. I learned that was not always so. Unfortunately, much emphasis was placed on appearance in our home and many days my clothing masked a cold heart.
As I shared with Elaine last night, I struggle to find the balance in this issue. I long to give Jesus my best, and on Sundays that best includes extra effort in my attire. However, I can honestly say, the condemnation I used to feel towards those who came to church dressed in their ‘less’ and not their ‘more’ has completely dissipated.
Yet, here’s the catch. As my friend Elaine wrote yesterday, “when our ‘coming as we are’ is based on our laziness rather than on our desire for holiness, then we’ve missed the mark.” Finding the balance between dress and desire. Am I dressed to impress or is extra effort put forth on Sundays because my heart longs to bring God my best for the reason that He is worthy? It’s all about the ’why’ isn’t it? It’s about the motive or the reason behind our less or best.
But, even as I write that…is He not worthy every day? I’m not talking about legalism here, but love. Should my love for my Lord not compel me, as His ambassador, to represent Jesus well seven days a week? I’m not referring to clothing here friends, but conduct and contrite heart.
Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. So, for me it comes down to the fact that I don’t want to look the part and wear the ‘expected’ because of tradition or ‘religion’, having my finery falsely advertise a heart that is far from God. It’s got to be real through and through.
So, dressing to reflect both my heart condition and my love for God today, what am I going to wear? Let’s not be whitewashed tombs. Passion, authenticity and love wear better and witness easier.
Lord, cover me in Your grace today,
Joy
What rich lessons today. Thank you, Wendy and Karen! It tells us in Proverbs 15:3, "the eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good." The God we serve sees everything; His eyes are never shut & He never sleeps. Every circumstance is known to Him. He sees our insides while we only see each others' outsides!
Giving money and time would not be difficult if we could focus on Him rather than ourselves. That's a hard thing to do living in a self-centered world! Oh, to truly & humbly seek to be filled to the brim with His Holy Spirit. What does He tell us is most important? "Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength...Love your neighbor as your self..." (Mark 12:29).
Love involves unselfish service to others, which is the evidence that we truly care, whether or not someone cares in return. Serving those who are annoying. Reaching out and loving those God has placed in our circle of influence. Reaching out to those extended family members that we wish were in "another," family! Love is the action.
Jesus clearly points out our 2 biggest priorities in today's reading: to love God and to love others. When we truly love God, we will also love others. When we obey God and do what He says; He blesses.
Whoa, ladies, lots to ponder over today! All my love, Lori-AZ
Joy, We were typing at the same time... I've realized like never before, as we've been reading through the Word together this year, just how sinful our thoughts are to God. Who are we to judge? What does Jesus say today? "Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy-full of greed and self-indulgence!" (Matthew 23:25)
I, too, was raised to be very careful in the way I dressed. I remember polishing my shoes every night in elem. school! Saddle shoes! :) We had the living room that was only meant to be "looked at," rather than used. Maybe that's why one of my favorite rooms in my home is our living room-and it's the room I sit in to read! :) Growing up, I wish more emphasis was placed on "loving," rather than details.
There are some pretty good looking people around, dressed to the hilt, who most likely are not as good looking on the inside. Only God knows our insides.
Oh, dear LORD, Thank you for creating me in your own image. Thank you for selecting me as one of your chosen few. Thank you for loving me every morning! Help me to see ALL those around me with your eyes. Help me to love like you love. Today, I want to know you more. I want to love you more. I want you to notice the evidence in my life that truly shows I'm loving those around me. I want it to be true love pouring out from my heart. Help me Lord. Praise You LORD. Amen.
Lori - AZ
Lori, the verse you quoted, Prov. 15:3, "The eyes of the Lord are in every place watching the evil and the good," reminded me of a time a number of years ago. I taught oil painting, and the adult class was in the evening. We owned a building that was the old post office. On the back was a stoop so the mail trucks could back right up to the back door. I had put a table and chairs under the stoop, and when I gave the class a break, they would go out and sit at the table. Since it was in the back, it faced an alley. Down the alley was the back door of a bar. In the mornings when we would go to the office, there would be beer cans all over the table and the chairs all askew. I got tired cleaning up after these people, so I wrote your verse out on a big piece of paper and taped it to the table. We never had any more beer cans left around or the chairs moves. God's word did the job.
Today's reading was so very rich. I appreciate your commentary, Wendy, and all the replies. I'm so glad this isn't going to end at the end of Dec, but we get to do it all over again next year!
Keep reading, ladies...and praying.
Jan TN
Your posts are comfirming a nudge the Lord is giving me to help a fellow church member out. I hear loud and clear. Thank you for sharing your hearts. Jesus spoke to me today thru you all, and I am going to the phone now in obedience.
Morgen - MN
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