Today’s devotional reading from the Upper Room magazine was a great one and fell right in line with Suzanne's sermon today. I thought it would make a great blog post, fitting our theme of Cheerful Giving.
-- Paul Ackroyd
Mark 12:41-44
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."
Paul wrote, “If I give all I possess to the poor . . .
but do not have love, I gain nothing.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)
Recently we completed our church
stewardship campaign. The program consisted of a series of messages, starting
with the big picture of living for Christ. We then discussed how stewardship
fits into a life that is pleasing to God, including the Bible’s guidance on
managing money.
As stewardship chairperson, I set up a
meeting with our pastor before the campaign began to discuss how we would
determine the success of the campaign. I expected his response to be something
along the lines of a 5% increase in total giving, or perhaps more people
pledging this year than last. But when I asked the question, I was surprised at
his answer. He said his view of success would be seeing people move closer to
God. The more I reflected on his response, the more I realized he was right.
The widow in today’s story gave
generously, and Jesus commended her for it. I honestly believe that God doesn’t
care how much we give, but how we give — from the heart, joyfully, with a
desire to move closer to God as an act of trust. If we are moving closer to God
— in our worship, prayer, service, and witness — then our joyful, generous giving
will follow as a natural expression of our thanks to God for all God gives to
us.
Thought for the Day
Generous giving expresses our
thanks to God.
Prayer
O God, teach us to give joyfully so
that we move ever closer to you. Amen.
The Author
John D. Bown (Minnesota, USA)
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