April 2, 2025

Today's Reading: Mark 12:28-44

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 44:1-18, 32-34; Mark 12:28-44

 
And [Jesus] sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums.And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

It’s not polite to watch what other people put into the offering plate at church. Don’t do that. Even though congregations used to post a list of which members gave how much money to the church, that practice has (thankfully) been done away with. Still, politeness didn’t stop Jesus from sitting next to the offering box in the temple and watching what people were putting into it. He even commented about their offerings to His disciples!

He doesn’t do this as an example for you to follow but to teach you that the gift of an offering is a confession of faith. People who had plenty gave something from their wealth, but they had more money and more possessions to go back to. The poor widow, on the other hand, gave two small coins, and that was all she had to live on. She didn’t have money in the bank left over. She trusted in God to provide for all her needs.

What about you? It’s easy to say that you trust God, but do you? When your money is taken away, or when your health fails, or when you lose friends, are you confident that God is all you need? You would probably like to say that you trust God completely, but that is really hard! Instead, when things are taken away from you, you often try to fix the problem yourself or look to your other gifts.  

God doesn’t call you to fix problems with your other gifts. He doesn’t tell you to take care of yourself. He doesn’t try to get you to fix things on your own. He doesn’t say, “A for effort, but go try to do better next time.” Instead, He tells you to believe in Him because He is the way, the truth, and the life. He gives you every good and perfect gift from above. (James 1:17) He gives you His gracious gifts out of His mercy and love. The Gifts of God are all you need!

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, Trusting only Thee; Trusting Thee for full salvation, Great and free. (LSB 729:1)

-Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

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