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
The gospel reading offers caution about what we are to watch out for and an example to follow. The caution is: “Beware of the example of scribes who devour widows’ houses.” The example to follow is: “Look at this widow, who put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
The scribes failed to see their abundance was from God. They were being devoured by their own greed and self-righteousness. What is devouring us? What consumes us and drains the energy out of us? Watch out for those things that lead to scarcity thinking.
Jesus leads us to see those whom others do not see and welcomes people that others overlook. Faith is lived out by ordinary people on ordinary days doing ordinary things, like the giving of just two coins. Abundance comes when we open our hands and freely give. Some days things may not make sense, but we are empowered in the midst of uncertainties to walk by faith.
Prayer
God, you see us, know us, and love us, and we worship you. Empower us to share freely with others what you have first given us: ourselves, our time, and our possessions. Amen.
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