In today’s first reading from Revelation 14, we see once again the figure of the Lamb. He has with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who have his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. The Scripture says of them, “On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished.” It reminds me of the old song When the Saints God Marching In – “O Lord I want to be in that number!”
The Gospel reading is from Luke 21. It is the story of a poor widow who puts two small coins into the treasury at the temple. Jesus says, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
In my book Magnetic Christianity, I use this story as an illustration in the chapter on generosity. I have always struggled with generosity, and had to really dig down to figure out why. I came up with a one-word answer: TRUST. Generous people trust God. They trust that no matter how generous they are, God will take care of their every need. This is why the widow woman gave her all. She trusted God. It’s something that I hope I am getting better at all the time. How about you? Do you trust God enough to give all today? As another old saying goes, God will never be outdone in generosity.
Father, increase our trust in you, that we may be more generous. Help us to always trust that you will always take care of us, no matter what. Amen.
Find out more about generosity, and the other ten attributes of a Magnetic Christian by getting a copy of Magnetic Christianity today at www.GusLloyd.com.
We missed you tonight. 11/23
Couldn’t find you on Facebook. A day without Gus (except Sat and Sun) is a day we don’t have you to lead us in Holy Scripture.