40 DAYS in the GOSPEL Sample

DOING YOUR BEST

I (Josiah) have often been amazed to see how much more effort can be pulled out of me when I am encouraged by someone else. I will be sitting there on a Saturday afternoon, completely out of energy after a busy week, but when my wife tells me how happy it would make her if I moved the couch from that wall to this one, I suddenly find a reserve I didn’t know was there. I may be reading a book in the evening and looking forward to bed, but when my son asks if I want to go for a walk, I find myself strapping on the shoes with a little more gas left in the tank.

This is not some kind of magic trick that works every time, however. I have been heavily encouraged by some people to do something only to find that I still have absolutely no drive to carry out the task. What makes the difference? I can’t speak for everyone, but in my life the difference is relationship. The time and the love that person has invested in me greatly increases their chances of getting me to give my all when it's called for.

In our text today (v. 41-44), Jesus is witness to two different kinds of giving. First, there is the lavish and well-advertised gifts of the Pharisees. The text is specific that they gave “large sums” of money. Second, there is a widow who quietly drops in two coins that, only together, are worth a penny. As usual, the amount is of no interest to Jesus but the motivation for their giving is. What inspired these two different givers to give their best, or not?

Giving your resources away for various causes is a great revealer of where your heart is. This is not a guilt trip! I’m just saying that the why will show itself in the how much no matter how rich or poor we are. The motivation for the first group was the acclaim of the crowd which does seem to have pulled quite a bit out of the Pharisee's pockets. However, Jesus points out the fact that they gave out of their abundance. In other words, they could afford it. The widow on the other hand was leaning on her relationship to God which meant everything to her. Jesus says she gave “all that she had.” The relationship of both groups to God was revealed in their motivation to give, and so is ours.

PRAY ABOUT IT: Share your heart honestly with God when it comes to being worried or generous with your time and money. Remember He knows the truth already! Ask Him to help you grow in your trust in Him, so that you can grow honestly in your motivation to give, based on the strength of your relationship with Him.