ESOCS Devotional 11 December 2024 – Cast In Your All
MEMORY VERSE: “And he said, ‘Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.’”Luke 21:3-4 KJV
TEXT: LUKE 20:41–21:4
But he said to them, “How is it that they say that the Christ is David’s son? 42 For David himself says in the book of Psalms,
‘The Lord said to my lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
43 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’
44 If David then calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”
45 As all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the experts in the law. They like walking around in long robes, and they love elaborate greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ property, and as a show make long prayers. They will receive a more severe punishment.”
For they all offered their gifts out of their wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in everything she had to live on.”
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We don’t know her name, but she made an everlasting impression on Jesus and has become a symbol of human dignity and generosity across the centuries. The poor widow that Christ saw putting her two small coins into the Temple treasury gave cheerfully and faithfully, knowing within herself that she was grateful to God for His benevolence and support. It was a sacrificial gift because she gave everything she had. She didn’t expect any reward or recognition for what she did. She gave from her heart because she knew that God loved her, which is the best way to give anything that we have to Him.
In 1 Chronicle 21:21, King David sinned against God, and to make things right, he needed to offer a sacrifice. So, he bought a threshing floor from Araunah the Jebusite for 600 shekels of gold. When David told the owner he wanted to buy the property, Araunah offered to gift it to him along with everything else he would need for the sacrifice. At first glance, that may seem like an attractive offer. But David responded by saying, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not . . . offer burnt offerings with that which cost me nothing” (1 Chron. 21:24). David wanted to pay the full value of the land because it was to be given to God, and in David’s mind, only that which was valuable could be given to the One who had given him everything.
Regarding the face value of the coins, the widow did not “put in more than all,” but as per personal sacrifice, hers was the greatest gift, given with the best attitude. In the New Testament, Paul tells us: “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Our attitude is as important to our Master as our motive. Cheerfully give to Him today everything you are, everything you are not, and everything you are going to be.
As we reflect on Christ’s words and this beautiful event, may we also ponder on what and why we give to our churches. Perhaps, God will encourage us to give with cheerful and generous hearts, too.
- What do I give to God from my resources? How does my offering help His work?
- Lord Jesus, help us to discover the joy of giving freely, joyfully, and thankfully. In your holy name, we pray. Amen
Further Reading: Isaiah 4:2– end; Daniel 7:1–14; I Thessalonians 2:1–12
ESOCS Devotional 11 December 2024
