A Sacrificial Offering

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.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”   Mark 12: 41-43

Have there ever been days that you identify with this woman?  Not necessarily in a monetary sense, but in a ministry sense or in giving of yourself in ministry, life, etc.

Life gets busy and seasons become demanding and full. 

 Circumstances and even relationships can become draining and difficult. 

 Some days it feels as if we cannot take another step.  

On those days, remember that Jesus sees you.  He sees what you have left in your spiritual, emotional and physical bank account.  He sees the sacrifices you offer Him.  He knows when it is the last "mite" you have to offer.  

The prophet Elijah experienced physical and emotional poverty after a very successful period of ministry.    So much so, that God had to send an angel to prepare him food and drink to sustain him for his next journey.  All Elijah could do was sleep and he even had to be roused by the angel to accept the sustenance.  

When we go through times like this, we can take heart and remember what the psalmist wrote in Psalm 103:13-14

 “The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.  For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. “

Also, we can rest assured that this season will someday pass.  Scripture promises that those who wait on the Lord will have their strength renewed.  

As we wait on the Lord for strength, He will provide us with all that we need (just as he did with the prophet Elijah).

Today, if you identify with the poor widow or with Elijah, remember:

The offering given out of a place of poverty, may be worth more in the eyes of Jesus than the offering given out of a place of richness and might.

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

Isaiah 40:31

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