Tag: widow

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Everything?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Mark 12.

And [Jesus] sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)

This woman gave “all she had to live on” (12:44). Really? Why?

I get it. Jesus’s point? Her offering was huge. It was everything she had. It was a ridiculous sacrifice. God doesn’t require this. He never asks for this. He doesn’t love her more because of her offering.

So what’s going on here? Who gives everything they have to God? Or to anyone else?

I might do that in a moment. I may have five bucks in my pocket. I’ll give that away. Does that count? It’s not everything I have. I’ve got more in the bank. I can always resupply my cash at the ATM.

At what point would giving everything be a virtue? What about your responsibilities to feeding your family, mortgage payments, credit card payments, insurance premiums, utility bills, taxes, pets, cell phone carrier, prescription medications, gas for the car, semi-annual air conditioner maintenance, doctor co-pays, haircuts, and Chick-fil-A?

God never asks for everything. He requires ten percent in the Old Testament. Sacrifices might have been one bull, one lamb, two pigeons, or some other prescribed offering. Something substantial, but never your whole portfolio.

This woman’s gift put the rich people’s contributions to shame. Fair enough. Is that what we aspire to, or is that simply a lesson in humility? Only one gave up everything, even his life for us. Jesus did that so we would be free from any obligations to God. How great is that?

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

The God of free refills

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from 1 Kings 17.

The amount of food my friends and I could eat in college was impressive. Since meals were only served during the week at the fraternity house, we had to fend for ourselves on Saturday and Sunday. One favorite spot was Roy Rogers, a burger and fried chicken restaurant which I’m surprised to learn is still in business in the PA-NJ-MD area. Our go-to order was the all you can eat chicken and fries plus a bottomless drink.

I don’t think they offer that deal any more, but there are other places where you can eat as much as you want (or can). Olive Garden offers a never-ending bowl of pasta from time to time. You can go back as often as you like at a Asian buffet. When Chick-fil-a opens a new restaurant, the first customers can get a free weekly meal for a year. In 1981, American Airlines sold a lifetime first class ticket for $250,000. Some who bought that flew over 10,000 times.

The original “free refill” story is from scripture, when a widow in Zarephath uses the last of her flour and oil to make bread for the prophet Elijah. During that time of severe famine, the Lord promised her, “The bowl of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil become empty, until the day that the Lord provides rain on the face of the earth” (1 Kings 17:14). And that’s exactly what happened.

If I give away what I have, I won’t have it anymore, right? Not necessarily. God’s promise of provision is described as “daily bread.” There’s more tomorrow. Just like there was yesterday. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). He’s the God of free refills.