Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

November 17
Tuesday


TWO MITES

READ:
Mark 12:41-44
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She out of her poverty
put in all that she had,
her whole livelihood.
__Mark 12:41-44
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Jesus sat in the temple near the treasury and watched as people walked by and deposited their gifts for the temple (Mark 12). Some made a show of it, perhaps so others could see how much they had given. Just then a poor woman came by and threw in two mites."

A mite was the least valuable coin in circulation. Thus the widow's gift was very small, amounting to nothing in most folk's eyes. But our Lord saw what others did not see. She had given "all that she had" (Mark 12:44). The widow wasn't trying to draw attention to herself. She was simply doing what she was able to do. And Jesus noticed!

We musn't forget that our Lord sees all that we do, though it may seem very small. It may be nothing more than showing a cheerful countenance in difficult times or an unnoticed act of love and kindness to someone who happens to pass by. It may be a brief, silent prayer for a neighbor in need.

Jesus said, "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from you Father in heaven....But when you do a charitable deed,...may [it] be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly" (Matt. 6:1-4). __David Roper
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```````````````````````May our gifts be sacrificial,````````````````
```````````````````From our hearts, and full of love;``````````````
`````````````````````Secretive and never showy,`````````````````
`````````````````Pleasing our great God above. __sper````````````
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God looks at the heart, not the hand;
the giver, not the gift

****************Today's Bible Reading __ Mark 12:41-44**********

41 Now Jesus sat opposite
the treasury and saw how
the people put money into
the treasury. And many who
were rich put in much.

42 Then one poor widow
came and threw in two
mites, which make a
quadrans. 43 So He called
His disciples to Himself
and said to them,
"Assuredly, I say to you
that this poor widow has
put in more than all those
who have given to the
treasury; 44 for they all put
in out of their abundance,
but she out of her poverty
put in all that she had, her
whole livelihood."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This passage and others help us understand what God expects from
believers who give to His work. Second Corinthians 9:6-7 holds
the answer: "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of
necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." Attitude and motivation
are key aspects of biblical giving. Providing financial help for the
community of faith is seen as a replanting of resources that brings a bountiful harvest. What God is interested in is the giver's eagerness,
spontaneity, and joy in advancing His work. __DENNIS FISHER