"That Which We Offer to the Father in the Name of Jesus" (Mark 12:41-44)

Let's examine some lessons from this passage of Scripture. For Christ followers, when it comes to our service to the Father in the name of Christ, all that we are and have should be offered in the same manner as this widow offered her "two small copper coins" (Mark 12:42). When it comes to whatever service we give to the Lord, not just money, but our skills and talents, we are not to be moved by what others give or not give! We may look around and look at the "noteworthy and great" things others may be doing for the Lord and desire that we could be doing the same. However, we may not have the same talents, skills or financial means like others have. We may not be gifted and called as Bible teachers and preachers as some are. We may not have the experience that others have or even the same intellect. The temptation which comes is that which causes us to offer nothing of ourselves at all! But, this is where the poor widow and her story comes into play. It was her offering that drew the attention of our Lord! We read, "Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury" (Mark 12:43). How can this be when some of those contributors are described as "many rich people were putting in large sums" (Mark 12:41). We are to understand and embrace that in spite of the "seeming" small amount she had to give, she gave all that she had! In other words, this woman stood out from all the others, not because of what she offered, but how completely she offered it! This is what prompted the Lord to say "she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on" (Mark 12:44). As Christ followers, we must never hold back from giving to the Lord whatever we have! Our Lord doesn't judge us on the amount we give, but on how we give it! In other words, it's not the thing offered, but the heart and attitude with which the thing is offered! My prayer for you is that when Christ watches how you give, He'd be pleased by what He sees! Be encouraged!