morals

DEAR GOD: May We All Have A Spirit Of Giving Like The Widow

by // // No Comments

 

Whose Recognition Do You Seek? — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARYThe Widow’s Mite: A Lesson in Sacrificial Giving

In the Gospel of Mark, we encounter a poignant tale of a poor widow who, in the act of giving two small copper coins, teaches us a profound lesson about the heart of giving. The verse in question, Mark 12:41-44, describes Jesus observing the crowd as they put money into the temple treasury. Many wealthy people threw in large amounts, but a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

Jesus calls His disciples to Him and says, “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.”

This act of the widow is not just a lesson in generosity, but a call to sacrificial giving. It contrasts the widow’s offering with that of the rich, highlighting the disparity not in the amount, but in the sacrifice. Supporting verses that echo this sentiment include 2 Corinthians 9:7, which encourages each person to give what they have decided in their heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Moral Reflections

The widow’s mite invites us to reflect on our own giving. Are we giving just from our abundance, or are we willing to give in a way that truly costs us something? Luke 21:1-4 parallels the account in Mark and serves as a mirror, reflecting our own attitudes towards material possessions and the act of giving.

Reflective Questions

  • How does the widow’s act of giving challenge your current understanding of generosity?
  • In what ways can you practice sacrificial giving in your own life, even if it goes unnoticed by others?

Closing Prayer In Unity

“Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You humbled by the lesson of the widow’s mite. Teach us to give, not just from our surplus, but sacrificially, with a heart full of love and devotion. May our offerings, no matter how small they seem, be a sweet aroma to You. Grant us the courage to trust in Your provision, as the widow trusted in Your care. Help us to remember that it is not the magnitude of our gift, but the magnitude of our faith that truly matters to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

May this Biblical narrative invite us to explore the theme of giving and its deeper implications on our moral and spiritual lives. I hope this resonates with you and offers the reflection and inspiration that we all need as Christians…

DEAR GOD: Your Heart Is Merciful & Eternal~

by // // No Comments

Lesson 8: The Heart of God - YouTube

Let us test and examine our ways,
    and return to the Lord!
 Let us lift up our hearts and hands
    to God in heaven:
Lamentations 3:40-41 (ESV)

 

The Heart’s Return:  

In the shadowed valleys of human experience, where the soul’s lament rises amidst trials and tribulations, the Book of Lamentations offers a beacon of introspection and hope. The verses of Lamentations 3:40-41 serve as a clarion call to self-examination and a return to God’s Divine grace. Let’s delve into Lamentations a little more, as we seek to unwrap the layers of these verses, with a desire to get to know our LORD further, and grasping to His every Word, as we listen to His voice in all that we do and say, each day of our lives.

Moral Lesson:

Lamentations 3:40-41 implores us to “search and try our ways and turn again to the LORD. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.” These words echo the importance and critical benefits of self-reflection and repentance. It is a call to sift through the debris of our actions, to discern the missteps, and to realign our path with that of righteousness. The lesson the Word brings to us here is not merely about recognition of wrongdoing- but about the transformative act of returning to the Lord, with a contrite and humble heart that accepts Him fully and wholly on every level of our lives, today and always.

Reflective Questions:

As we ponder the depths of these verses, let us ask ourselves: “In what ways if any, have I strayed from my values? How can I restore harmony between my actions and my spiritual beliefs?”

An Exercise for Reflection:

Take a moment to retreat into a space of solitude and silence, in the LORD’s Presence.  With a pen and paper, list the actions and choices from the past week that weigh heavily upon your conscience. Beside each entry, write down one step you can take to rectify or improve upon that action. Fold this paper and place it in a spot you will see daily as a reminder of your commitment to personal growth and spiritual renewal. This will encourage and strengthen your spiritual roots in the LORD and entrench your soul further into the depths of Christianity and God’s way, and Word. But this exercise is not one of “frivolity or perfunctory” – instead it should be of sincerity and earnest seeking to draw closer to the LORD in all aspects. We cannot fool God – He knows our hearts, and He knows what we will do and say before we even do or say it. And best of all – He loves us and FORGIVES us through the blood of Christ! Yes!

My Prayer:

“Dear LORD, In the quietude of my soul, I seek Your divine light. Guide me through the labyrinth of my ways, that I may discern the wheat from the chaff within my deeds. Grant me the courage to face the truths unearthed and the strength to amend my course. May my heart, uplifted in earnest supplication, find solace in Your boundless mercy. Renew within me a steadfast spirit and anchor me in Your unfailing love, today and all the days of my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

_____________________________________________________

 In conclusion, Lamentations 3:40-41 invites us to a profound engagement with our innermost selves, urging us to shed the layers of complacency and to embrace a life of intentional righteousness. It is in the earnest examination of our ways and the heartfelt turning to the Lord that we find the true essence of spiritual awakening and moral fortitude.