A
daily,
Bible-based perspective of
hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Home About Us Archives Free email subscription
Listen to these
messages
Home About Us Archives Free email subscription
Listen to these
messages<Previous
Message
Next
Message>
Listen to
us share this message on your
audio player.
"As He looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 'I tell you the truth,' He said, 'this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on'" (Luke 21:1-4).
Our daily text records the only specific giver that Jesus commended in Scripture. The big givers had come through the line. I imagine they crinkled their bills or clattered their coins for maximum effect. I can see them looking toward Jesus as they dropped in their offering expecting a thumbs up or approving nod.
Man's way is to commend the big givers. But Jesus said nothing until the poor widow came through. He went right to the heart of the matter in stating that, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others." What does He mean? Had He failed grade school math? Of course not. He explains Himself, but it simply runs counter to our type of reasoning. Most would beg to differ with Erich Fromm who wrote, "Not he who has much is rich, but he who gives much."
In man's reasoning "more" means the size of the check, not the degree of the sacrifice. God doesn't primarily look at the size of the offering but at the heart of the giver. Man tends to commend the famous athlete, the celebrity who builds a playground, or the wealthy businessman who gives a large gift to the project.
But I believe the Kingdom of God is primarily being advanced by scores of people who are much like the widow. They probably won't get a building named after them or make the cover of a magazine. But I believe they're the ones Jesus still commends. The main commendation we should all long for is to hear the words of our Master, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, help us to obey Your principles in the distribution of our income. May we give quietly and sacrificially with a generous spirit. Help us to use our resources soberly and distribute cheerfully from that which You have entrusted to us. We seek Your commendation and not the recognition of others in advancing the kingdom of God. Amen.
Here's
a photo of the entire Neizmik family taken this last weekend. All three
girls grew up in the church and are now married. They honored their
parents in such a nice way as they invited family and friends from all
over. It was a time of celebration and reunion.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Little Is Much" Video We both really enjoy the lyrics to this song, especially the second verse. Larry Ford is a tremendous tenor. He can still hit those high notes that most of us never could.
"Turn Up The Music" Video This song doesn't necessarily relate to today's message but we heard it recently at a wedding and again on Tom's station (via streaming audio) yesterday and thought we would share it with you. It's by "Point Of Grace", one of Brooksyne's favorite groups, and has an interesting perspective on living life to the fullest.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Raystown Lake in central Pennsylvania
Raystown Lake in central Pennsylvania
Listen to
us share this message on your
audio player."Big Givers"
"As He looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 'I tell you the truth,' He said, 'this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on'" (Luke 21:1-4).
Our daily text records the only specific giver that Jesus commended in Scripture. The big givers had come through the line. I imagine they crinkled their bills or clattered their coins for maximum effect. I can see them looking toward Jesus as they dropped in their offering expecting a thumbs up or approving nod.
Man's way is to commend the big givers. But Jesus said nothing until the poor widow came through. He went right to the heart of the matter in stating that, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others." What does He mean? Had He failed grade school math? Of course not. He explains Himself, but it simply runs counter to our type of reasoning. Most would beg to differ with Erich Fromm who wrote, "Not he who has much is rich, but he who gives much."
In man's reasoning "more" means the size of the check, not the degree of the sacrifice. God doesn't primarily look at the size of the offering but at the heart of the giver. Man tends to commend the famous athlete, the celebrity who builds a playground, or the wealthy businessman who gives a large gift to the project.
But I believe the Kingdom of God is primarily being advanced by scores of people who are much like the widow. They probably won't get a building named after them or make the cover of a magazine. But I believe they're the ones Jesus still commends. The main commendation we should all long for is to hear the words of our Master, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, help us to obey Your principles in the distribution of our income. May we give quietly and sacrificially with a generous spirit. Help us to use our resources soberly and distribute cheerfully from that which You have entrusted to us. We seek Your commendation and not the recognition of others in advancing the kingdom of God. Amen.
Last night we made some new friends. Tom Michaels Zahradnik is the general manager of the Sound Of Life Radio Network,
a group of radio stations based in New York, along the Hudson River
Valley reaching the heart of the Northeast. Tom is pursuing endorsement
as a chaplain and I was asked by Alvin Worthley, my national chaplain
supervisor, to interview him. Tom and his wife, Cathleen, drove down
to Lancaster County and joined us for a time of fellowship in our home. They both have a real heart for ministry and we shared an enjoyable time of fellowship, Scripture reading, and prayer together.
The Sound Of Life Radio Network is also available in internet streaming audio wherever you live. Just click on the "Listen Now" link.
The Sound Of Life Radio Network is also available in internet streaming audio wherever you live. Just click on the "Listen Now" link.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
(Click on the link to play in your
audio player)
"Little Is Much" Video We both really enjoy the lyrics to this song, especially the second verse. Larry Ford is a tremendous tenor. He can still hit those high notes that most of us never could.
"Turn Up The Music" Video This song doesn't necessarily relate to today's message but we heard it recently at a wedding and again on Tom's station (via streaming audio) yesterday and thought we would share it with you. It's by "Point Of Grace", one of Brooksyne's favorite groups, and has an interesting perspective on living life to the fullest.
Info about multi-media files used
on daily encouragement.
Send
a message to Stephen &
Brooksyne.
Permissions:
Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on
Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided
that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the
cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not
protect or restrict it. I do request that you keep the contact,
copyright and subscription information intact.
Scripture
references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version.
©
1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD
BIBLE®,
Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by
permission;
and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ
I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord.
My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and
to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
© Copyright 2008
Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"