Check out all the previous Unstoppable readings here.
Unstoppable Reading Plan | Week 3 | Day 3
Prayer
Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Pray that God would open your eyes to wonderful things from His word today.
Bible Reading: Luke 21:1-4
Read these verses three times slowly.
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” 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.”
Reflection & Questions
We’re continuing to look at Unstoppable Generosity this week, and today’s story is perhaps one of the best and most challenging examples in scripture. As people are putting money in the offering box at the temple, Jesus notices a poor widow giving two “very small” coins. Nobody else would have given this offering a second thought. They would have noticed the ratty clothes of this poor woman, and wouldn’t think there was anything of significance that she could give to the temple. But all the rich putting their gifts in – that would be attention grabbing. Their gifts would surely make a huge impact!
We’re not told, but it is very possible that the poor widow felt ashamed of her gift. Maybe she had wrestled with even giving at all. Afterall it was all she had, and it wouldn’t go very far in making a difference for the running of the temple. However, for the One who owns the entire universe, it is not the amount of the gift, but the amount of faith that the gift represents that matters. The poor widow’s “very small” coins represented “all she had to live on” and in giving she was placing all her faith in her Heavenly Father. When it comes to giving, it’s not the size of the gift that matters, it’s the size of the faith.
- As you think about your generosity, what do you feel about it? What can you learn from the poor widow and Jesus’ response?
- AS you think about your Unstoppable commitment, take some time today to pray asking God for His guidance on how much to commit.
Prayer
Talk to God in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
