Mark 12:38-44 (NRSV)
Read Mark 12:38-44 on biblegateway.com
Verse 38As he taught, he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, Verse 39and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! Verse 40They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."
Verse 41He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. Verse 42A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Verse 43Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. Verse 44For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
Devotion
It’s inspiring to work with donors who make large gifts for very important projects at Luther Seminary. I often wish that I could be one of them. I’d love to give a gift to fund a program, or build a building, or cover the cost of tuition for a student each year (donor envy?). We are very grateful for people who do just that.
It’s great that people choose to do such wonderful things with the resources God has entrusted to them. But do not lose heart! God can also do wonderful things with the resources entrusted to us who appear to have less. The widow understood the joy of giving from the abundance God had given her.
It doesn’t take a million dollars to make us able to give generously. God gives to each of us an abundance that is more than enough. God is generous with us so that we can be generous with others.
Prayer
Thank you, God, for your generosity to me. Give to me that same spirit of generosity for the sake of others. Amen.