Verse of the Day 3/13

Through the Bible - Deuteronomy 23-25, Mark 15:1-20

 

Good morning,

When I was a little kid I remember being able to buy a regular sized Three Musketeers bar for a nickel at the local drug store.  (I guess I'm showing how old I am),  It goes to show what inflation does, you can't buy much nowadays for a couple of pennies or a nickel.

 

For today's verse we'll go to Mark chapter 12 where the widow gives all that she has to the cause of Christ.

The NIV tells of her giving this way.

 

42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,  worth only a fraction of a penny. 

Today's verses follow:

 

Mark 12:43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on."   NLT

 

Reading the NIV translation makes you think that the gift was pretty much worthless.  I'd read commentaries that stated that the "two small coins would have been enough to buy a meal.  While the value wasn't great, she gave away what she had for her next meal, in doing so she did not know where her own next meal would come from.

 

Matthew Henry comments, " There was a poor widow that cast in two mites, which make a farthing (v. 42); and our Lord Jesus highly commended her; called his disciples to him, and bid them take notice of it (v. 43); told them that she could very ill spare that which she gave, she had scarcely enough for herself, it was all her living, all she had to live upon for that day, and perhaps a great part of what she had earned by her labor the day before; and that forasmuch as he knew she did it from a truly charitable disposition, he reckoned it more than all that put together, which the rich people threw in; for they did cast in of their abundance, but she of her want, v. 44. "

Jean, Jeff, and I attended a fundraiser last night for Young Life of Alamance county.  Young life is a Christian organization that works with locals kids in and outside of the schools bringing the gospel to them.  One speaker noted that in this economy many people expect that charitable giving will be down.  He asked an important question.  With the stock market dropping and low interest rates in banks, where will you invest your money, what are you going to invest in?  He suggested that now, more than ever, is a good time to invest in something that will bring a return that will have an effect on generations.  Invest in kids.

 

We're not giving away all that we have or the money for our last meal, but what he said makes sense.  Like the two coins, God can take that and invest it towards changing lives for the glory of Christ.

 

Is Young Life in your community?  If not, perhaps there is another Christian youth organization in your town that could use the support to invest in our future.  Consider it today.

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Mark 12:41-13:1

 

The Widow's Offering

 

41 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.

 

43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on."   NLT