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Friday, November 18, 2022

November 18, 2022 ~ Devotions: "The Grace of Giving"

 And So, I Continue . . . . . .

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.  Psalms 26:7 KJV

Matthew 12:42-44 ~ 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

A Christian businessman had just been asked to make a contribution to a worthy Christian mission endeavor. He responded, “I’ll be glad to give my widow’s mite.” The person asking for the gift responded, quite excitedly, “Can you really afford to do that?!! She gave all she had.” He knew the widow had given her ALL but he wasn't sure the businessman knew what he was saying! 

Read our verses again.  Jesus is talking, again, about a Christian’s giving to the furtherance of the Gospel through the local church. If you are obeying the Word, you are tithing, giving offerings, and supporting your church as the Lord has blessed you. It isn’t a demand. . . have you ever thought of that. He is asking FOR YOUR HEART when we give.  He wants us to TRUST Him in all ways, especially in our giving. In these verses Jesus draws the disciple’s attention to the widow who gave her all and He wants the disciples to understand that this widows tremendous faith, love, and obedience was on display and was evident when she gave God all she had. She was not being supported by some welfare system; she had no insurance policy ready to meet her needs upon the death of her husband. BUT she gave HER all, her last mite, or in our day, her last dime. By giving all, she had to live on, she was showing her complete dependence on God. By doing so, she put the rich people who gave large sums to shame. She gave sacrificially and faithfully from her heart. They gave sparingly from their wealth. God is not asking us to donate all we have to worthy Christian endeavors, what He is asking is that we put Him first in everything we do. He is asking us to live sacrificially for Him since He died sacrificially for us. Is that too much to ask?

You know what the sad part is about the “Christian Businessman to me?” Someone had to “ask” him to participate in this Christian endeavor. He obviously is someone of stature, position, and wealth and you don't get there without being observant! He most likely already knew of the need, but felt no desire to give from the heart, sacrificially. And yet, we sit in the air-conditioned auditorium, on our cushioned seats, thinking of that fine lunch we will have when he quits preaching!  We aren’t concerned one bit about what it takes to run our church. There are bills to be paid, and our Pastors should be focused on preaching the Gospel, not how much will be received that day – or even worse, will he have to give up his salary that week to make a light bill, mortgage payment etc. People, it is happening in many of our churches! Most churches have a good salary for their Pastors, but some do not! Where did the money come from? Did you participate even once in the benevolent fund, or building fund, or given extra to missions this year? Did you think on the pastor’s needs let alone the pastor’s wife or children when it came time to give so you could put in a little extra?

It’s a special time of the year, and this is when people will give a little extra. But let’s look at it from the widow’s eye this year. Give till it hurts.  God will bless you for it! Then pray and ask God to help you in the future regarding your giving to Him and His work here on earth. God will truly bless you for your “Grace Giving”.

Another thing, why do we give to other organizations, all be it they are Christian works, and it is quite honorable, but we find it so hard to give to our own church and it's needs.  Our tithes and gifts should be made through the local church, and if you want it to go to a missionary or a specific organization, designate that gift and allow the church to send the gift in your name.  Giving is a blessing and an honor.  God has blessed us so much, how can we do less than to give back to others in need.

In the words of Jesus: Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to trust in you as completely as the widow did. Teach me to put You first in my every aspect of my life. Thank you for my many blessings and help me to keep my focus on the Gospel in my giving! Please Lord, continually remind me of all that Jesus did in sacrificing Himself for my salvation. Amen.      

Lord, please help us to be wise, studied up, aware, and faithful to You. Amen.

With love and prayers,
LKMilam

May we be faithful to be your Philippians 2:16 Missionaries. 

Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Tom and Linda Milam
Missionaries to America
and around the world

 



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