Quote from Forum Archives on October 9, 2017, 2:40 pm

Posted by: pastorbob <pastorbob@...>

10-8-2017                    Heart          

 

Luke 21:1-5 "While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box.  Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.  "I tell you the truth," Jesus said, "this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them.  For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has."   NLT

 

I find it interesting that this text is recorded right after Jesus tells us to "Beware of these teachers of religious law!" and one of the reasons given was that they "shamelessly cheat widows out of their property…"

 

These Temple Elitists would shame the small givers while smothering the big givers with praise and thanks.

 

Jesus FLIPS THE SCRIPT on the temple thieves yet again!

 

Jesus speaks of the HEART of a FAITHFUL GIVER

 

Our true heart is a major issue in our life

 

We cannot Love God and Love Others without giving…and risking our heart.

   

Proverbs 4:23 "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."

   

Deuteronomy 11:16-17 "But be careful. Don't let your heart be deceived so that you turn away from the Lord and serve and worship other gods. If you do, the Lord 's anger will burn against you."

    

1 Samuel 12:20 "Don't be afraid," Samuel reassured them. "You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don't turn your back on him."   

 

1. The poor widow gave out of her heart
1. Her two small coins represented all she had

                                                  i.      But she wanted to give her all to God

2. The rich people gave out of their surplus
1. Not out of their income
2. Not out of their faith
3. …and you can bet they did it with flourish and an expectation of recognition
4. You could infer here that if they had not surplus they would be giving no money
3. Is our giving (money, time, talents, etc.) a gift of the heart?
1. Is it about us?

                                                  i.      Are we giving EXPECTING anything?

1. Value
2. Special notice
1. Is it about God?

                                                  i.      Faith

                                                ii.      Love

                                              iii.      Obedience

4. What little piece of obedience are we giving God while expecting great accolades?
1. What are we willing to surrender to God?

                                                  i.      Funds

                                                ii.      Time

                                              iii.      Self

2. What are we UNWILLING to surrender to God?

                                                  i.      The One who created and provided everything we have

                                                ii.      What are we holding on to tightly?

5. The poor widow gave everything she had
1. Time
2. Energy
3. Faith, Hope and Love
4. She was not forced, coerced, lied to or stolen from by the Temple Elite

                                                  i.      She gave from her faith

                                                ii.      She gave from her HEART

5. All of her was poured out

                                                  i.      This is what God wants from us

1. Whatever we have
2. Whatever we are
1. Surrender it all to Him

                                                                                                                          i.      It will be enough

                                                                                                                        ii.      Even if the world thinks it is small

                                                                                                                      iii.      God will see it as a great gift

 

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