January 27, 2020
Luke 21:1-4
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.  He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.  “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.  All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
New International Version (NIV)
Who knows what we give to the Lord’s work?  In my work, I don’t try to know what anybody gives to the Lord.  This has been my practice for over thirty-eight years as a pastor.  The financial giving portion of our database is intentionally disabled on my electronics.  Sometimes someone will share with me a gift they are giving and then I know but I never try to know.  I am always grateful for what God’s people give to his work. 

Jesus knew what people gave in his day.  He was watching one day as the wealthy of his day put their gifts in.  Someone has envisioned their collection box as a cornucopia made out of tin.  All the currency was coins.  Lots of coins made a lot of noise.  Noisy givers were big givers.  Then it happened:  “Plink, plink.”  Two tiny little coins barely made a sound.  The coins were not silver or gold, but copper.  Jesus went where pastors fear to tread:  “She gave more.”  He announced it to his disciples.  She gave more than all of them.

Why did he praise her?  By what measure could she have possibly given more?   He explained, “They gave out of their wealth.  She gave all of her wealth.”  The measure of her gift was that she had nothing left.  Big difference.  Statistics say people who have a lower income give a greater percentage to charity in our country.  This made me wonder:  Do I give God gifts out of my time, talents and treasures, or do I surrender all?  Ready or not, Jesus is watching.
Pray with me:       
Father, Giver of good gifts, thank you for all you have given us.  Help us I pray to give our lives back to you, in gratitude for your gracious gifts to us.  Thank you most of all for your indescribable gift, the gift of Jesus.  Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor so that we might experience the priceless gift of salvation.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen. 
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:9-10
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 

About Duane Archives
Subscribe to our email list.