Day 2
Reading: Mark 12:28–44
SOAP: Mark 12:43–44
He called his disciples and said to them, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others. For they all gave out of their wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in what she had to live on, everything she had.”
Many times Mark asked his readers, “Where is your faith?” For the religious leaders in Jerusalem, their faith was in their works and their knowledge of the law. One of the examples of great faith in the Gospel of Mark was not these well-educated teachers, or even the disciples who walked with Jesus every day. It was a poor widow who gave all she had to the Lord.
This woman offered everything she had to the Lord. Though it wasn’t much compared to what others were giving, it was all she had. She was more concerned with giving what she had to the Lord than meeting her own needs. She trusted God to provide for her and therefore was able to be faithful with what God had given her.
Are we willing to sacrifice our money, time, and resources for the Lord in the way this widow did? When our faith waivers, our generosity or our commitment to following Jesus waivers. When we know who He is, believe who He is, and place all our faith in Him, only then can our lives be an outpouring to Him. May we have great faith like the widow, regardless of our circumstances.
Lord, give me the faith I lack to believe You will provide me with everything I need. I want my life to be an outpouring of faithfulness, like this widow. Show me where I can give more and where my faith can increase. Amen.