Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Mark 12 41-44 (NRSV)

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

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Reflect

This passage is one that I heard in Sunday school when I was young, and has been making me feel guilty ever since. When you’re young, your parents may give you money to put into the offering plate, but it’s different when that money becomes your own. At 28, when the offering plate is passed, I remember all the bills that must be paid, but those bills don’t mean I am justified in not contributing to God’s work.

But the meaning of this passage isn’t as simple as giving money. It’s about determining what we actually need to have, and learning to give of our time, talents, and money to support the church. The widow in the passage gave “everything she had.” Do I need to pay rent and have a place to live? Yes. Can I commit not only to giving 10% of what I earn to the church, but commit to living a life in the service of others? Yes. We can always do more than we think we can, because God gives us strength.

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Pray

Dear Lord, thank you for all of the gifts that you give us on a daily basis. Help us to recognize that we can do more than we think we can, and give us the strength to serve others and your church. Amen.

Go with God.