The widow of Zarephath and the widow in today's Gospel reading both gave from their want, all that they "had to live on" (Mk 12:44; 1 Kgs 17:13ff). When Zacchaeus accepted salvation, he gave half his possessions to the poor (Lk 19:8). Barnabas donated his farm to the Church (Acts 4:37). It became so common to do this that Ananias and Sapphira lied and said they gave to the Church all the money they received from selling a piece of property, although they had only given most of it (Acts 5:2-3). Paul had to caution the Macedonians about over-giving! (2 Cor 8:13) They gave to the point of impoverishing themselves. We don't seem to have this problem today.
Christians today seem light-years away from the financial giving we see in the Bible, especially in the New Testament. Many Christians aren't even tithing, and tithing is B.C. It's 2,000 years behind the times. We're a few light-years behind New Testament Christianity. We must repent of watering down our faith. We have become lukewarm not only in financial matters, but also in many other areas (Rv 3:16). We must repent, even if we're the first one or the only one to repent.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I give as You gave to me. |
| PROMISE: | Jesus "will appear a second time not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him." –Heb 9:28 |
| PRAISE: | Praise You, Jesus, our Wealth (Phil 3:8). You gave everything, even Your very life's blood, so that we could live with You forever. Alleluia! |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College