Blog Layout
Appreciating the Givers
Andrea Lende • May 28, 2021
Mark 12:42-44
Appreciating the Givers
You can also listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Appreciating-the-Givers-e11ntdc
Mark 12:42-44
“And a widow who was poverty-stricken came and put in two copper mites [the smallest of coins], which together make a half of a cent.”
“And He called His disciples [to Him] and said to them, Truly and surely I tell you, this widow, poverty-stricken, has put in more than all those contributing to the treasury.”
“For they all threw in out of their abundance; but she, out of her deep poverty, has put in everything that she had – all she had on which to live.”
I was touched as I read this passage today.
An older woman living by faith gave all she had.
There were no storehouses within which to replace what she’d given.
Her heart was generous anyway.
She was likely acting out of obedience to the Lord.
She felt a nudging to give, and she obediently gave.
As I read this passage, a new perspective touched my heart.
There are gifts other than money we sacrificially offer to others.
We give our time, talents, emotions, and energy to one another.
We offer up our knowledge, wisdom, and expertise.
These, too, are priceless.
And many people who give much of themselves, give out of their lack and not abundance.
Their time is limited but they give it anyway.
Their emotions are stretched to the limit and yet they listen to their friend’s difficult story as if they didn’t have a care in the world.
They have worked hard all day long and yet come home and tirelessly prepare meals, help with homework, and bake cupcakes for a birthday tomorrow.
They have not one bit of energy left and yet they come running to the aid of another in times of crisis.
There’s a popular saying right now about not judging others because we have no idea what their battles are.
I found a similar meaning here in our passage.
Just because someone is generously willing to give to me, doesn’t mean it doesn’t cost them.
It may cost them more than I will ever know.
I will never know what they had to give up in order to help me.
Today I choose to be grateful for the generous people in my life and I will appreciate them far more profoundly than I have in the past.
May you find you are more sensitive to and appreciative of those who give to you for they may be giving out of their lack rather than out of abundance.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for granting me a new perspective today as I read Your Word. Thank You for showing me the generosity of others in my life. Thank You for showing me they may, indeed, be giving out of their lack instead of abundance. Help me appreciate their help in a more profound way, Lord. Help me see their sacrifice and fully understand their gifting to me. Show me how I may give back in a meaningful way to each one. Help me also see the needs of others that I can fill. Give me a willing heart to help all who You put in my path. Help me love as You love and offer grace as You do. Help me offer forgiveness as easily as You, Lord. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: I AM sending the people you need to help you and will send you to help others.
Response: Give me a willing and joyful heart to help, Lord.
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.