Life by the Word

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 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 all gave out of their wealth; but she gave out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on." (Mark 12: 41-43)

There must of been a lot going on at the temple this day. Many festivities had to be surrounding the possible jovial time. Sounds like there was many people there. Or why would the Bible state there was a crowd surrounding the temple treasury.? It probably was Jovial, why do I say that?. Because people were giving large amounts of their money. It clearly states that also in the above scriptures. And as far as I know whenever large amounts of money are being donated out usually there is a good time going on. Wouldn't you think.? I mean I could be wrong here in making such an analogy. But if I were a betting man,( which I am not) I feel kind of comfortable stating that things were pretty good and emotions were in kind spirits this day at the church mentioned here in the twelfth chapter of Mark. Must of been some event for the disciples to witness. Now, I have read this chain events at least ten times in my christian life. Over and over I keep seeing this struggling older woman making her way to the treasury. But recently I have wondered what must have been going through her and the Lord's mind as she was making her way to make her subtle but oh so powerful contribution. I asked myself these few questions after reading the passage a couple of times recently. I wondered to myself was she ever embarrassed.? She must of witnessed all the great donations being made before her that day. Did she look away when others possible laughed at her as she clutched the two very small copper coins tightly in her shaking hands.? I mean, who could of blamed her if she did hold her head a little lower than the others. To be honest with you, I do not know if I would have had the courage to wait on line and drop these two seemingly insignificant pieces of copper in temple's treasury either. All I can gather from the scriptures is that she must of been humble. She probably didn't care what others thought about her. And most importantly, she trusted in God. Why do I say this? Because this was all t he money that she had to live on. And on this day it is written in the Bible that she put it in the temple treasury. Now, let us say that again,okay?. She Put the money in the temple treasury. Ever put something some where. For example a child, or a special piece of jewelry. Like a wedding band. Or a special letter or birthday card you might of received from your dad or mom when you were younger. You see here my friends, you put precious things places very carefully that are important to you. You make sure they make their destination safely. You respect their importance and you understand their meaning to you and to others that surround your life. We read in the above scriptures at the top of this page that others threw their large amounts in the treasury that day. They walked up to the treasury and it seems that they just flung what they were giving as if they had no care in the world. As if they were doing this out of duty or to be seen by those that surrounded them that day. Maybe they needed the applause.? Maybe they were just to lazy to walk their big offerings all the way up to the alter? Maybe if they did that it might not have made a such a bling bling jingle or noise when it reached the top of the heep. I mean I have thrown things in my life and still do. For example,my dirty laundry on the floor.( Which drives my wife crazy may I add.) Also My half finished soda bottle on the floor of my automobile many times. I mean like who cares right.? Guess who cared that day and still cares today.? You got it my friends. You know who I am going to say. Jesus Christ cared. With all the festivities, with all the money being distributed that day. With all the hoopla and crowds. Our Lord Jesus Christ was watching. You know it had to be from a distance. Because the Bible states that the Lord sat opposite of where people were putting in their offerings. Who knows maybe twenty feet.? Maybe thirty.? It could of even been farther. But the truth is does that really matter anyways how far Jesus sat away from the temple treasury that day mentioned above in the chapter of Mark. The Lord saw and still sees all today. I believe as I have grown with Christ that God tells us here in this sequent of events. That he looks at the heart of the matter in our lives. Jesus, searches the motive of why do what we do. Have you ever given a donation to a cause so you could have a big tax write off.? Or have you ever shown up at charity events so that you could be seen by the elite in your neighborhood and get that at a boy or girl pat on your back. Or maybe just visited a homeless shelter so that you could get a picture or two in the newspaper to capture a few more votes in your local political campaign.? You get my drift here.! If we were honest we all have done this self promotion at least once in our life. So Let us be honest here.! The truth is God sees the heart behind the action. Not just back then with the widow at the temple treasury, but even today. And forever more may I add. You know what strikes me also about this chapter in the Bible. That out of all the wealth and money given that day. That the Holy Spirit would write about this widowed woman who gave the two copper coins. She, out of all the people that day in history was immortalized by the Lord himself for us to read about in God's word. And to learn from too. I hope today that whomever is reading understands my motive in writing this chapter. Maybe when we do something now. Like give to the poor. Help the homeless, Donate to the needy. Whatever God leads us to do. Let us do it with right motive. Let us give to put a smile on God's face. Let us recognize the truth in our inner spirit. Let us show our faith and trust in Jesus through our good deeds. Not just for others to see. Not just to make ourselves feel good inside. But do it for God's Glory. And because we just Love Him.!!!  Our Father In Heaven. Thank you Lord for all you teach us. To put it plainly. We are so grateful to you for your Greatness and Mercy and Grace." How Great Thou Art. How truly Great Thou Art."  God Bless you on your journey with God.

Love you all.   Al

Chapter 26