Enduring Wealth

[Christ4Ever]

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. Mark 12:43 NLT

Jesus sees what others overlook.

The media notices the generosity of the wealthy. When millions are donated in the name of philanthropy, the reports fill the papers, news programs, and blogs. It’s easy to celebrate large financial gifts that benefit large companies and ministries, and even easier to overlook the little guys.

But God sees more. When a poor widow offers two small copper coins, Jesus calls His disciples over and points out what others missed—the offering of “everything” (Mark 12:44).

In a similar encounter, Jesus praises a woman who, at a small gathering, breaks an expensive alabaster vase and pours a year’s wages worth of perfume on Him to prepare Him for His burial (Mark 14:3).

Both of these women, though largely overlooked by their cultures, offered “everything.”

When the unrecognized do something extravagant from the heart, Jesus points it out. He sees the significant in culturally insignificant people.

The same religious leaders who shamelessly cheated “widows out of their property,” should have noticed the extravagant gift this widow made, but they did not (Mark 12:40). As you walk through today, will you see the significant in the insignificant?

Prayer: Father, thank You for noticing the little people who do the truly great things Help me see what

 

[Andyindauk]

Thank you bro for some lovely thoughts.

What should be a beautiful side of human nature is so often corrupted by the enemy, Satan. Giving should be a wonderful and love filled transaction but Satan has even managed to pollute it with sinister and evil motives -

Ego - Oh man look at me, how generous and fantastic am I? Maybe I'm cynical, I see soooo many posts like this on social media. So what's the problem then? There isn't one. The recipient gets an unexpected gift, the giver get lots of shares and likes - it's win win. All that's missing is anything that's glorifying or pleasing to God, but likely that's not a problem to the giver.

Career - Similar but with the expectation that the giver also gets some form of quid pro quo (a benefit). An example is Herod's millions spent on the refurb and repair of the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus was fiercely protective of the Temple's integrity Matthew 21:12-17 but as for the benefactor, He calls him a fox and when He eventually meets him, He refuses to even speak to him. Nevertheless, it was a win win; the Temple was restored and Herod appeased the masses, and avoided any nasty uprisings which and any detrimental effects on his career. All that was missing is anything that's glorifying or pleasing to God, but likely that wasn't a problem to this particular giver either.

Compare and contrast with Jesus' description of true giving -

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

True Spirit inspired giving has two motives. Love of our neighbour (see the parable of the Good Samaritan) and the pleasure and glory of our wonderful, loving father, God. And there's a bonus, His reward - but that's just an add on and not the core motivation, unless you subscribe to the Prosperity Gospel