Word for the Day May 27

By:  Evang. Cascille Hammack

 "Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They gave out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on."  Mark 12:43,44

Jesus was watching the crowd in the temple as they gave money.  Many wealthy people put in large amounts but a poor widow put in two copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.  Jesus said she put more in than everyone.  God measures giving not by the amount but by the amount of sacrifice involved in the giving and by the amount of love.  The rich gave and it involved no sacrifice but the widow gave as much as she possibly could.  Jesus said she gave more than everyone.  I will never forget the poor widow (who is rich in God's eyesight) I was ministering to at the Mission feeding the homeless and needy.  One day she gave me an offering of $10 which I sewed to increase His work.  This was the greatest gift we have ever received and I know God honored her gift of love to His ministry.  This was a huge amount for her.  Her love for God moved me to tears.  Her treasures are stored in heaven and they are great.  God had given me this scripture earlier that day, "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness." 2 Cor. 9:10  For those who have the heart to give, He supplies the means to do so and with it a blessing.

This sacrifice of giving applies to all of our service to Him.  He judges our work and ministry not by the size or influence but by the amount of real sacrifice it costs, and by the love and faith involved.  He sees the level of each persons sacrifice to serve.  He measures the gift of our service to Him with true measurement and He knows what it costs. We are to serve as He did and in the same manner.  When the dispute arose among Jesus' disciples as to who was greatest, He said,  “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.  For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves."  Luke 22:25-27 And more important than what we do for God is what we are in spirit before Him.  Giving to Him will come as the natural fruit of abiding in Him.  He knows the true measure of all of our giving.  "...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Sam. 16:7