Mark 12:43

New International Version (NIV)

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.

For Meditation

There are several reasons people give for skipping Sunday services. Some are genuine concerns, but others are funny and simply ridiculous. Some may skip for lack of a new dress. Others excuse themselves for not having enough money for offering. There are others who skip service because they couldn’t have their hair done or a manicure. But, are these reasonable grounds for “giving up meeting together” for worship (Heb. 10:25)?

Regarding service, some people have the idea that they have to have all the time in the world to avail themselves. Their busyness curtails their availability and they don’t want to start now and not be there the next time. I understand that; but I have a little problem with all of the reasons cited. It is all about our hearts, priorities, and mindset!

We all have twenty four hours to live in a day and we manage to fit into it, whatever is important to us. We can find time for whatever is important to us, no matter how busy our day may be. It comes down to desires and sacrifices. When the heart desires, something must give way to accommodate it.

To God, what we have or don’t have doesn’t matter. He owns and gives it all. The condition of the heart and its desire to worship Him with all He has given us is all that matters to Him. Our willingness and readiness must trump every other reason for skipping service and not serving.

Christ gave a very poignant lesson to the disciples with the giving of the poor widow (Mk.12:41-44). The “rich people threw in large amounts,” but the poor widow gave “two very small copper coins” (41-42). Christ commended the widow for giving “all she had to live on” (44).

1. Why do we find it difficult to give our all to Jesus – time, money, and gift(s)?
2. Do you know where it all starts – the giving of ourselves “first of all to the Lord” (2 Cor. 8:5)?
3. Did you know that God is impressed more with our giving out of our poverty than our riches (Mk. 12:44; 2 Cor. 8:2)?
4. Why then should the amount of time and money, the kind of dress, or hair condition prevent us from attending church or serving?
5. Should we not rather give from our hearts to God, whatever we have, rather than concerning ourselves with all those things?

 I pray our attitudes concerning church attendance and every aspect of our giving will change in a positive way, so that we gladden the heart of Christ like the poor widow did.

So: May you give all that you have to Jesus; and may it rise before Him as a sweet smelling fragrance, holy and acceptable to God.

Giving is a freewill offering to God that that nothing should restrain.

Shalom