Free Course: Encounter the Faith & Wisdom of C.S. Lewis!

Answers for Each Day - February 4

Rich or Poor

It is interesting that Jesus, in our devotional yesterday, did not try to keep the widow from giving all she had.  It is especially interesting considering what He said a little earlier in Mark 12:38-40,

Then He said to them in His teaching, "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers.  These will receive greater condemnation."

You can hear the protection of God for widows in the voice of Jesus.  You can hear His concern, and you can hear the judgment of God on those who manipulate, abuse, and take advantage of defenseless people and widows.

Yet, right on the heels of saying that, this widow gave all she had, which means she probably didn't even have anything left to buy food for a meal that night.  With her gift of less than one penny, she had nothing left.  And yet, Jesus said she gave more than everybody else.

Jesus did not give the slightest indication that she shouldn't have given an offering.  He didn't run after her and say, "Now wait a minute, Ma'am!  You shouldn't be doing this.  You're a widow.  God doesn't want this."  On the contrary, it seems that He commended her for it, even calling her gift to the attention of the disciples.

Why do you suppose this lady would have given like that—all she had?  I reckon because of her love for God and her love for the work of God. 

Which is what Jesus looks for when we give, whether we are rich or poor.


Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to connect with God. 

Answers for each day devo image JanFEATURED RESOURCE

Chase the abundant life God has for you!

Peace, love, purpose, passion, restoration, healing . . . we all want to experience those things this year. But is it actually possible?

It is—because God invites you to pursue the abundant life in Him every day!  And you’ll find out exactly how to do that with Bayless Conley’s NEW book, Great Pursuits: Chasing What Matters Most in Life.

This resource gives you scriptural, practical, and personal lessons from God’s Word—as well as from Bayless’ own life—to help you pursue what’s most important in life even in these challenging times.

Click here to learn more!

SHARE

Christianity / Devotionals / Answers for Each Day, with Bayless Conley / Answers for Each Day - February 4