Luke 21:1-4
21: Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
Reflection
Luke gives lots of attention to Jesus’ teachings, parables, and stories about money and wealth. This short story of the widow’s offering is a good example. At one level, it reminds us about the deceptiveness of riches and how we over-value the worth of money (Matt. 6:19–21; Luke 8:14; 1 Tim. 6:17). At a deeper level, we are reminded that, in God’s sight, our financial giving is evaluated by the heart behind the gift. This story challenges us to give more radically and sacrificially, but it also teaches us that God is never impressed by our financial status. He cares about our faith and worship, regardless of the amount we give.
1 Timothy 1:1-11
1: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith:Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
Reflection
Paul urges a young pastor named Timothy to confront ignorant false teachers who misunderstand the law that God had given to the nation of Israel (1 Tim. 1:3–7). Paul provides a proper understanding of God’s law, teaching us that one of its true purposes was to confront and expose sin. He provides a list of sins the law reveals (vv. 8–10), and sets them in contrast to the bright hope of “the gospel of the glory of the blessed God” (v. 11).
The gospel, entrusted to Paul and to us, is the only answer to the dark and sin-sick human heart. An accurate understanding of what the Bible teaches (“sound doctrine”; v. 10) will always harmonize with the teachings of God’s glorious gospel of grace (v. 11).
Psalm 38:18
18 I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.
In love, God reveals our sin as we spend time in his Word. Pray for a humble heart so that you can receive this exposure as a gracious correction from your Father that leads you to Christ for grace.