If someone gave a gift of 1000 euro to a charity, and someone
else gave 50c, which one would have been the most generous?
According to Jesus' teachings it could have been the one who gave
the 50c! It is not riches that Jesus takes note of!
"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.'" 1*.
No doubt many had noticed the great amounts of money the rich were
putting into the treasury. 2*. Perhaps some people were wishing they could
afford to give such gifts to God to gain favour with Him. How
surprised everyone must have been to discover that the generous
gifts of the rich did NOT earn them favour with God!
It is important to always remember that "the LORD does not look at
the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but
the LORD looks at the heart." 3*.
God doesn't just look at what you and I do or say, He
looks right into our thoughts and hearts. He knows well whenever a
person just goes to Church to be seen by others. He knows whenever
someone says a prayer to Him but is not truly believing in Him
because the same person is going off to say many prayers to someone
else.
God will not allow His glory to be shared with other so-called gods
and goddesses. 4*.
God is our only Creator and only Saviour 5*. so He is right to claim to be a jealous
God. 6*. To worship
or pray to anyone or anything else would be to try to rob God of
His rightful place as the only true God. 7*.
So you see why many people who are trying to impress God with their
gifts and their actions are not succeeding! 8*. God looks on the heart, and He expect us
to love Him with all our hearts. 9*.
As Jesus watched the gifts being put into the treasury He said,
"All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but the
poor widow out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
1*.
Are you concerned about what God sees
as He looks into your acts of worship? Does He see you as
one who truly loves the Lord with all your heart?
Have you trusted in Him alone to forgive and save you from sin? He
truly deserves your love and trust because He sent His Son to take
the punishment for your sins and to become your Saviour. Don't be
guilty of arousing His jealousy by seeking forgiveness and
salvation through someone else! Put your whole trust in Jesus
Christ as your Lord and Saviour today, and live the rest of your
life in love and obedience to Him. 10*.
Read about Jesus commending the poor widow's response to God in
Luke's Gospel chapter 21, verses 1-4.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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Footnotes. Bible quotations from
N.I.V.
1 Luke 21:1-4.
2 Matthew 6:1-2.
3 1Samuel 16:7.
4 Isaiah 42:8.
5 Romans 1:25. Titus
2:13.
6 Exodus 20:5. 34:14.
Matthew 4:10 Nahum 1:2.
7 Isaiah 44:8. 46:9.
Jeremiah 25:6. 1st Corinthians 8:4.
8 Matthew 7:21-23.
9 Deuteronomy 4:29. 6:5.
1st Samuel 12:24. Mark 12:33.
10John 3:16-19. Titus
2:11-14.
