Be an example in giving…

12:44 Mark “They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on.“ (NIV)

Jesus continues to speak to the disciples about the heart for giving displayed by the poor widow. Few of us can relate to this level of poverty. We may have had some hard times and even some times where we were in debt, but in that society and culture, widows had no means of support. That is one of the reasons Jesus encouraged the disciples to care for the widows and orphans… and from what we know, they did that. A client that I worked with would often ask how confident we were in a system change or fix. He would ask if we were willing to bet a paycheck… our jobs… or our life… on the change. It really made you think. This widow was making a statement that she put her life into her giving… could we do the same if asked to do so?

Please pass along this verse to friends… to see if they notice there is a second verse about the ‘widow’s mite’ story in Mark. Ask if they ever remember a time when growing up that they went without food for a day or two. Ask how that made them feel and how their parents handled it. Listen closely to their reply. We know that there are a number of families that don’t always have enough food to have for every meal. We know that they seek help to make it. Yet, they continue to have faith and to work hard to do the best that they can. Be observant and help out wherever you can. Remember to Take Time For God’s Word© often each day or as you sit down to a meal and at 12:44 am or pm. I try to associate certain verses with things we see or do every day so that I am reminded of those verses regularly. As this verse is 12:44, it is easy to associate it with food at lunchtime. It reminds me that we are greatly blessed when we have money to have food for lunch. Some have only one meal each day as that is all they can afford. There have been times when I skipped lunch and used that money to give to someone else so that they could have a meal. It wasn’t that I couldn’t afford to do both… it was really just a way for me to see what it meant to give up a meal for someone else. Think about ways that you can take an action to make the verse more meaningful and therefore memorable to you. It may even become unforgettable based on that experience. Be that blessing to others!

We close out our monthly prayer cycle by asking God’s grace be extended to that one person that we know who REALLY needs Jesus in their life. It may be a family member, friend, client, student, teacher, etc. It may be that you have been praying for them for years (don’t give up). OR… it may be someone that you recently met BUT that you could tell that they needed to have the saving love of Jesus in their lives… now! Keep praying for them. Let them know that you do pray for them. It shows how much you care. Be a positive witness in their lives about what God’s love has done for you. Stay blessed in all that you do. Pass it on through generous giving and by thankful living for all the blessings that God gives to you!



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