DATE POSTED: Thursday, November 16, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Royal Floridian Resort, Ormond Beach, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Living Bible (TLB) IS FOUND IN Luke 21:1-4

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: As he stood in the Temple, he was watching the rich tossing their gifts into the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small copper coins. “Really,” he remarked, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them combined. For they have given a little of what they didn’t need, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: Normally this Scripture will upset the masses today, because they are so sure that the gospel preacher or teacher is about to beg for more money from them! Fortunately, there is no need to set up your defenses, for that is not an issue for me, since I am a layperson just like most of my readers and/or listeners. Friends, I believe that as you take time to meditate on this devotional, and the Word of God in particular, you will see pass financial giving or tithing to the church, even though it is necessary, needed, and commanded by God to continue the ministry of the Gospel. But I want to encourage you to particularly look at the heart of each one mentioned in this story relayed by Jesus, and try to identify thge attitude of your heart, for it will be evident as we look at this together.
** For the rich who gave: can you see what may have been hearts filled with: obligation; regret; reservation; promoting self; and/or advertising their generosity?
** For the poor old lady who gave: Perhaps we could see a heart filled with: love; generosity; reciprocal giving; and/or a desire and determination to give, regardless how her remaining obligations might be met?
Now, I would encourage you to consider the person whose heart emulates:
-*- The rich in our story – As a church leader, can you call on this group to serve with you in ministry? Don’t you suppose they might wonder what’s in it for them? Will their business be recognized in newsletters or in the pulpit? Will their donation be tax deductible? Could they mention their religious giving through their advertising so the public might know how generous they are? But for…
-*- The poor old lady who hardly had enough to get by – I believe she was one that only considered her net income after tithing, even if it meant not having enough to meet her personal needs without God’s intervention. I believe she was ever so aware of her endless blessings from God, regardless of how great or small they were. I believe that she was just as generous with her time as she was in her giving. I believe she probably looked for the needs in others, while others may have concentrated on ways to gouge them for additional profits. I believe that she was a praying lady, for she realized that her needs were met by God alone, and not because of any good thing that she might do. I believe that if there was a way for her to give privately without anyone seeing her, she would have chosen that method of giving, for she knew that God saw her generosity, even though others may have ignorantly looked down on her minimal gift.
Friends, I further believe that God smiles as He sees us giving from a heart of love, sincerity, honesty and obedience to His Word and not just out of obligation or for public recognition, praise and admiration. I believe that the same heart that gives in this manner will also look deeply into God’s Word and make every effort to love Him in other ways – such as sharing His love with others and telling them about His sacrifice made so that they might also have eternal life. Let’s always remember that it’s from the heart that we freely give, love unconditionally, and choose to live like our Lord so that others might be drawn to Him.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord Jesus, I don’t believe that You did anything grudgingly or for selfish reasons, but instead for our good and the glory of the Father. The attitude that we adopt and practice each day determines how much of You that we’ve allowed in, and how much our lives are impacted by You. While the world has no reason to know or understand our motivating factors, I pray wholeheartedly that they will see a picture of You and know that Your Holy Spirit truly lives inside of us to guide and direct our every decision, and the path that we travel. Please Lord, touch the hearts and lives of those that will meditate on this devotional today, so that they may go and be a blessing to others. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!