Even One Penny is Important by Lane Jordan Burday
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she …put in everything.”
Mark 12:43-44
I just heard that it costs three pennies to make one! Because it costs more to make one than it is worth, the government is considering not making more pennies.
But a penny, added up, can mean a lot! In 1987, Mike Hayes, a freshman at the University of Illinois, found a unique way to finance his education. He convinced a popular columnist at the Chicago Tribune to ask his readers to “send in a penny for Mike.” “Just one penny doesn’t mean anything to anyone, but if a whole group of readers sent in one, it just might add up,” said Hayes.
In less than a month, the fund had grown to 2.3 million pennies. Donations came from all over the US, Mexico, Canada, and the Bahamas. Mike eventually ended up with $28,000! *
That’s an example of the beauty of the Gospel of Jesus. If each person shared God’s love and his salvation with one person, it would result in many people hearing about God.
If we did just one nice thing a day for the rest of our lives, we would have blessed and ministered to many!
If we pray and read God’s Bible one day at a time, we will know God in a deep and loving way by the end of our lives.
As we see in the verse above, a poor widow gave all she had, which was just a fraction of a penny. But Jesus saw her and said that her sacrifice and gift were worth more than all the coins put in by the very rich. She had given her all and trusted God to the point that she knew He would provide for her even though she had nothing.
God looks at the heart, not the hand, the giver, not the gift. Never worry that you can’t give enough. Give as your heart leads you. Yes, the rich officials might have wasted this widow’s money, but unaware of that likelihood, this powerless woman acted in good faith and was the greatest giver in God’s sight. She knew God would always take care of her. What faith!
*From Our Daily Bread
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If you have not purchased our new devotional book, Treasure, it is not too late! Lane Jordan Burday and Lisa Burkhardt Worley, along with the POP Team, combined their talents to write the book, which is full of wonderful inspiration. You will be inspired by the messages, and receive daily treasure as God will speak to you through His Holy Spirit. To buy Treasure just click on the Amazon link that takes you directly to the page. https://tinyurl.com/2uj9sn5x.