TOPIC: Don’t Be Stingy!
TEXT: Mark 12:35-44
35. And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?
36. For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
37. David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
38. And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
39. And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts;
40. Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater damnation.
41. And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury; and many that were rich cast in much.
42. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury;
44. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
KEY VERSE:
“And he called unto his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast all that she had, even all her living.” – (Mark 12:43,44)
DCLM Daily Manna 26 April 2021 Devotional MESSAGE:
In many religious organisations, the desire to attract the rich is not so much for the sake of getting them saved and eventually prepared for heaven but for the money they are likely to make available for use by the assembly. Such money could be used for the prosecution of various projects or the purchase of equipment and furniture. Perhaps, in order to please some of the givers, their names are scribed boldly at the back of the pews and on all the equipment or buildings.
Jesus had watched the people cast their money into the treasury. The rich gave much out of their abundance. And there came a certain poor widow who threw in two mites, an offering Jesus described as more than all the other offerings. Her two mites gift was equal to just one farthing. But it counted for a lot in the sight of God. Why? “For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”
The Lord is not as much interested in the size of our offering as He is in the sincerity and faithfulness of the giver. As for religious leaders who seek recognition and honour, Jesus describes them as hypocrites and deceivers (Matthew 23:13-15). Those who exploit widows will be disappointed on the last day.
We should learn from the ultimate Giver, God, who gave His Best – Jesus Christ – to deliver man from sin and hell. We should also give to Him of our best, without withholding from Him.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
We must be like our Father in heaven in giving.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Joshua 1-4
DCLM Daily Manna 26th April 2021 Devotional Message was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
