(And He Still Does Today)

Daily Reading: Luke 21

Scripture Focus: Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21.1-4)

Devotional Thought: How would you like the preacher looking over your shoulder as you put in your offering? I don’t think we would tolerate this today, but Jesus didn’t seem to be bothered by it. Neither did those who were at the temple that day. Neither did the poor widow. She wasn’t ashamed of or embarrassed by the paucity of her gift. She gave with a clear conscience and with satisfaction in her soul for she gave “all she had to live on.”

As I thought about this poor widow who gave her all, I began to ponder what I have witnessed among God's people. For example, recently in our morning worship service, I enjoyed the children as they retold the story of Christmas in song and drama. As I looked on, I saw dedicated Christian parents who were themselves worn out from all their family obligations along with the added responsibilities of Christmas. Like most working parents, they didn’t have time to put into getting 4-11 year olds ready for a play – especially not someone else’s 4-11 year olds! But they did it anyway. They gave their time and energy. Why? Not to get noticed (although a whole congregation of people were looking over their shoulders at the results of their labor) but rather out of love, love for God and love for those children.

Yes, Jesus looked over the shoulders of those who gave in his day. (And he still does today!)

Prayer: Lord, thank you for those who have - across the years of time and around the places of earth - faithfully given, labored, and prayed in your church. Help me to take my place in the faithful throng. In Jesus name, amen.

Psalm of the Day: 1 Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; 2 he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. 3 O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? 4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. 5 Bow your heavens, O LORD, and come down! Touch the mountains so that they smoke! 6 Flash forth the lightning and scatter them; send out your arrows and rout them! 7 Stretch out your hand from on high; rescue me and deliver me from the many waters, from the hand of foreigners, 8 whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. (Psalms 144:1-8)