Unseen Cost
Opening Prayer
Loving God, I marvel at the great love You have for me. May Your love shine out to others through me.
Read MARK 12:41-44
[41] Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. [42] But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. [43] Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. [44] They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What do you think Jesus wants us to learn here?It is easy to make false assumptions about the commitment of others. The scenario described here is a long way from our culture; we no longer give our money in public and how much we give to the church or anything else is considered to be between us and God. In Jesus’ time, giving generously—and conspicuously—was, like sitting in the seat of honor or making lengthy prayers, something for which you might expect respect.
We still do make judgments about people, though. It might be how often we see them at church on Sunday, how willing they are to sign up to help at church events, whether they come to prayer meetings. Do we judge the person at work who never takes time to socialize, or the parent who almost always stays away from school functions? We cannot know whether they, too, have only a couple of copper coins of time or energy left over after the essentials of their life. Just as Jesus saw the real sacrifice of the widow (44), God knows what it costs each person to give what they do, and it is that, not the amount, which shows where the heart is.
Apply
Pray for anyone you know who struggles to balance their commitments—whether of time or money.
Closing prayer
Lord, keep me free from judging others by what I see and help me have a heart that beats with Yours
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.