*An article originally posted on my first and now-defunct blog, Jesus, Tea, & Knees on April 24, 2019.*
Jesus
Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
One of the most interesting aspects of Christianity is watching how Jesus, the originator of this faith, observed others. I’m a people watcher myself. I’d like to say that I’m an amateur at this because every time someone catches me “observing” them, an awkward moment is created.
I would caution anyone against people watching if your look-away-before-they-notice reflex is as dull as mine.
On one particular day, Jesus sat opposite the treasury, the offering box where people brought gift offerings for the temple ministry. He observed the wealthy walk by and deposit large sums of money.
A widow also donated to the treasury but she tossed in two copper coins, the equivalent of a penny in those days. In today’s money, it would be no more than $0.50. Give or take.
Jesus was amazed that this widow had put everything she had left into the offering box while the wealthy only gave the bare minimum. He praised her faithfulness to God and today we retell her story.
Money hucksters and greed-filled televangelists will try and distort this widow’s story into robbing the faithful and poor of their earnings. This was never what God intended.
But what Jesus brings to light is how we, as believers, can pour our everything before Him. It doesn’t matter how small what we offer is, He accepts it!
So if we pray for two minutes, let those be the best two minutes of prayer in our day.
If you’re only able to read one verse from scripture today, live that verse out like it’s your last on earth.
Do you have a foot-long sub from Subway? Split it with someone else. Perhaps, someone less fortunate. It isn’t much, but it is better than nothing.
Offer a “thank you” to God when you go for a stroll through nature or the outdoors today. Without the hum and buzz of *technology and other distractions*, of course.
God does not want a lot of nothing. He doesn’t find satisfaction in our one hour of worship if we’re disconnected 100% of the time.
Give Him your last two “copper coins” and watch what He will do with your love. Our worship, no matter how “insignificant” it may seem to us, is welcome and appreciated before Him when it comes from an honest heart and a humble soul.
Questions for the Heart:
- Is there a better way we can spend both personal and church funds to assist those in need?
- Will you make time for God today? Two copper coins – two minutes of worship. Get it done.
Tea
Today’s Tea: English Breakfast Tea Shop (Over Ice)
Base Note: Ceylon Black Tea
Taste: Very bold, full of flavor. Bitterness can be diluted with milk or a hint of lime. I prefer it chilled but it is traditionally served warm-to-hot.
Bit O’ History: Best known as Sri Lankan tea or Ceylon tea. The reason for its name change is that the British imported the tea from China into Sri Lankan plains and cultivated the plant like no other nation ever has. James Taylor commercialized this tea plant to the point that it took over the coffee industry in the country. In 2013 Ceylon/Sri Lankan tea (“English tea”) made Sri Lanka over US $1.5 billion dollars. We credit the Chinese for its discovery, the Brtish (English) for its commercialization, and the Ceylon or Sri Lankan for the land and the people who make this wonderful tea available to the world.
Extra: IT HAS CAFFEINE!!!
Knees
Father, today we remember those in need. The beautiful people who live in favelas, slums and at times on the streets of our cities. We pray that today they find shelter if they have none. That bread, water, and sustenance be provided to them for they are your children. They too, deserve love, care, and hope. Lead us to a place where we do not fear those in need but are moved by your Spirit to bless them, daily. Let us not forget them for you are right there with them waiting to be cared for. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
“I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.”
Amen
Olivet Theory 