Luke 21:1 The Omniscient Jesus Christ looked up at the beautiful moment. She was poor. She was a widow. She gave every coin she had to live on. Two mites equaled 1/128 of a day's wage---not much! She had faith that God would supply her every meager need. No husband to rely on. She gave out of her poverty. She had a spirit and, a body---she gave both to her God. She showed up. She wasn't at work. She went to give wordless worship. No figuring out 10 percent---she gave 100 percent to The Messiah.
They...
They gave out of their abundance. Comfortable lives. Let me help you but, whoa!, if it's going to cost me too much---then, uh no. Let me figure out my 10 percent and if it doesn't hurt me too much, then I'll do it. Our LORD wants us to give out of our abundance----no He wants it out of your poverty of soul.
This is a contained pericope sandwiched in-between the end of Jesus' public ministry and the Olivet Discourse. Jesus had just rebuked the Scribes for destroying widows' houses and making a debaucle of religion, showing off their prayers and posture, especially their giving. Thus, a pericope to give depth to His teaching about being a giver. Living out loud not giving out loud.
Am I giving what I have to my LORD? Am I showing up before Him every day? He is looking up at you this day. Will He see a woman who is giving or grabbing for what you need? He understands your frame. Let Him take your open hand. Humble yourself. He is such a Good God!
We had to cut our internet service about one week ago so you probably have received e-mails from us that were sent back to you. We'll have it back up soon in the near future. If you need to get hold of me, you can facebook me or send a facebook message. Thanks!
ReplyDeletePS - Just saw the pictures from the royal wedding. Surprised by the fascinators. My mother was a hat model in New Orleans and she would have fit right in her 1930's hats. I should post some of her pictures :]
Luke 21:19 "By your endurance you will gain your lives."
ReplyDeleteKeep trusting, give abundantly, set my course and stay on it. As I read these words I take them into my heart this morning.
21:14-15-"Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict."
"Givers and Grabbers" There really are two types of people in this world--givers and takers. My friend says that givers attract takers, so she is cautious about her true tendencies to be a giver. I think it doesn't matter if others are takers. What matters is that we are givers. Christ didn't come to this world to be served but to serve. Likewise, we are to model our own behavior after Him.
ReplyDeleteToday, our bank account reconciliation came in the mail and I saw two checks for even amounts-big chunks, taken out a week apart from each other with consecutive check numbers. I asked Mike if he had written them (he would have remembered due to the amount) and he said he didn't recall. I wondered if we had "lost" a checkbook and thought about the people that had been working in my home. I still haven't figured out who took it, but truly I'm not that upset. The difference is it feels so much better to give it than for someone to take it. We all are better when we take care of each other, "outdoing each other in honor" as Romans 12 says.
We're off to a family reunion in an hour and it will be a fun day. Hope you all have a blessed Saturday, whatever it holds for you.
Oh I'd love to see your mother in vintage hats, Bev. Post when you can.
ReplyDeleteYou are so faithful through it all. You bless us so much with your generous giving of yourself to our benefit.
I echo and ditto everything that Annette said. Bev, I sent you two different messages over FB about my little friend and how to contact her if you want to/have time etc......she will be blessed by your words. You have truly poured yourself out as an offering for all of us. May He bless you richly for giving out of your hard places....you are an inspiration.
ReplyDelete"By your endurance you will gain your lives."
ReplyDeleteChrist offers so many ways to be sure he is God's Son. He knows the depths of sacrifice from the widow's giving all she had.
How else could he know how precious her gift was?
He then foretells destruction coming...the temple...the persecution of saints...earth's birth pangs for the coming of the Lord.
He tells us to endure. What a great example he will prove to be.
Truly, he is the Son of God.
This week has been his resurrection week. We have much to celebrate in our faith.
But we must be sober-minded. Nations rise up against nations. Earthquakes, terrors, pestilence, famines...he foretells the coming days of great fear.
And then he tells of the great cost of discipleship. Families rise up against his own. Trials are coming. We will suffer for his name. Some now are feeling this horrible prophecy.
Endure. He calls us to endurance.
As a believer, I am trusting in the Lord to rapture me before the tribulation. But I still see so many of the prophecies coming true right before my eyes.
Look up! Our redemption draws near!