Plain, Simple, Powerful — First Jesus

I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who He is; then Jesus and what He did — Jesus crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 (MSG)

A legacy isn't just what you leave behind. It's what you live right now.

ALL SHE HAD

Two Coins. One Life ~ What Happened Next?

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few pence. 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, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’ Mark 12:41–44 (NIV)

Jesus sat watching ~ Gr. theōreō: sustained, intent observation — not a glance but a gaze with intent.

They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely. Mark 12:40 (NIV)

Two Coins, A Whole Life

A poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins… They all gave out of their wealth (surplus); but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on. Mark 12:42, 44 (NIV)

All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—all she had to live on. Mark 12:44 (MSG)

God judges what we give by what we keep. — George Müller

You shall have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3 (NIV)

Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ He said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.’

 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Mark 10:21–22 (NIV)

Stewardship is not fundamentally about money; it is about ownership. The question is not, ‘How much of my money should I give to God?’ but rather, ‘How much of God’s money should I keep for myself?’ — R.C. Sproul

The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives. Deuteronomy 14:23 (TLB)

The widow of Zarephath

Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow. Deuteronomy 27:19 (NIV)

1.      She had heard from God. I have instructed a widow there to supply you with food. 1 Kings 17:9 (NIV)

2.      She had a servant's heart. He called to her and asked, ‘Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink? As she was going to get it, he called, ‘And bring me, please, a piece of bread.’ 1 Kings 17:10–11 (NIV)

3.      She had to overcome her fear. Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 1 Kings 17:13 (NIV)

4.      God performed a miracle. She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:15–16 (NIV)

At the mouth of two or three witnesses a matter shall be established. Deuteronomy 19:15 (LSB)

Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. Mark 12:43 (NIV)

Put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you. Malachi 3:10-11 (ESV)

Pete Grieg ~ Dirty Glory: Go Where Your Best Prayers Take You

What Happened Next

She, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on. Mark 12:42, 44 (NIV)

His name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. Psalm 68:4-5 (NIV)

Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me. Luke 18:22 (NIV)

Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor.’ Luke 19:8 (NIV)