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Luke 21:1-4 – 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." (NIV)
My son loves waffles. He enjoys them each day as an after-school snack. However, this year during the Lenten season, he decided to forgo this treat. One afternoon, as we drove home from school, we discussed the meaning of the season, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, and what we were each giving up. "Mama," he said, "I feel like my sacrifice is small compared to the big sacrifice of Jesus."
I encouraged him that his sacrifice was important because he was doing it for the love and honour of Jesus, not because it was a big gesture.
The widow woman placed her two small coins into the offering at the temple. Jesus noticed her gift and praised her because she gave all from her heart. She gave with humility, unlike the Pharisees and religious leaders who merely gave to receive lavish attention.
We can bring our offerings to God with complete trust that our Father sees us. He understands that sometimes, we may have capacity for bigger gifts, while other times our giving will seem small. The Father simply seeks generous hearts and humble spirits.
As we anticipate Resurrection Sunday, our sacrifices are a heartfelt response to Jesus' ultimate sacrifice of Himself on the cross for our sins. He was our humble example, giving Himself for the salvation of the world.
Whether we forgo eating our favourite food, or give a generous financial gift, or abstain from other forms of personal gratification, we honour His sacrifice. We offer Him our gratitude, and we live sacrificially towards others with thanksgiving.
Prayer: Father, we bring our offerings to You with praise for what Jesus has done for us. Thank You for accepting our sacrifices, no matter how small. We are grateful for Jesus' work on the cross and the redemption given to us by it. In His name, we pray. Amen.
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Thanks for the good word, Kathleen.
Thank you for such a wonderful devotional this morning! It spoke right to my heart!
Thanks, Kathleen. “Out of the mouth of a child.” What a sweet example for us from your son.
Merci, Kathleen, for a carefully crafted devotional. “The Father simply seeks generous hearts and humble spirits.”
Beautiful thoughts, I’m sure coming from the Holy Spirit himself. Glad your heart is sensitive to His prompting. Good stuff! Keep writing!
Thank you, Kathleen, for your mindful devotional writing today. Truly our loving Lord is so deserving of our reverence and honour each and every day for His endless care of us. Blessings today and for the times ahead.
Thank you for today’s devotional, Kathleen. AND, you obviously have done a good job in helping your son understand the sacrifice of Jesus and the gift God gave us in his son…and THANK YOU FOR THAT.
(Texas)
Dear Kathleen,
I think that is wonderful that your son would give up something he loves and would enjoy each day. I am more impressed that he felt that his sacrifice is small compared to what Jesus did for us. Children are quite often very centred on themselves and don’t see the bigger picture as your son did.
I was really wondering where your devotional was going from the title. I did not guess and really enjoyed it.
I try to do something nice for someone each day as my way of thanking Jesus for what he sacrificed for us. It helps me to focus on the love and comfort that Jesus provides in my life. Sometimes, what I do is very small and other times I get the chance to offer something more substantial, but my focus is on paying forward.
Thanks for sharing your son’s experience and his thoughts – very powerful. May you both be blessed.
Effective. THANKS.
Thank you, Kathleen for a very meaningful devotion. We hope that you will keep writing.