Influencers Weekly Devotional- Down to Your Last Penny?

Down to Your Last Penny?   by   Rocky Fleming       Every year I begin my thoughts toward the cross of Friday and resurrection Sunday, by reading an account of that week in Jesus’ life.  I start with the day we call Palm Sunday, where Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the Temple, and I then look at what happened each day until Sunday.  Of course we do not know all Jesus did that week, for only the highpoints were recorded.  But, there is one highpoint that I haven’t spent much time reflecting on … that is until today.  It was the story of an old widow who did something special, and Jesus pointed her out to his disciples, and we read about her today.  If you don't mind, I would like to use my creative side to tell what may be her story, by imagining what she must have been going through, and her courage to face it head on with faith in Almighty God.  Maybe her story will help some of you face some things you are dealing with now?  First reference Mark 12:41-44 in your Bible.  Now, let’s let her share what happened, as she faced her challenges:   “I know I had very little to give.  Why, it was only two small pieces of copper, and compared to the large sums being given by people going to the offering box, mine was, … well mine was, … so insignificant.  But it did represent my last meal, or at least it would help get me by with a few bites of food that it could purchase for the day.  I will tell you that I fought the urge to turn around and leave the Temple with my two coins still wrapped in the scarf that I used to keep it safe from loss.  It would have been so easy to blame the moneychangers and the greedy Pharisees for making me feel obligated to give, and their misusing our gifts.  But I knew that they only taught what God had instructed about bringing my tithe to the Storehouse, and they just taught the concept, even though they didn’t live by their own rules. “Maybe I should blame God?” was a thought that spun through my head.  After all, I am a widow with no resources except what I can dig up, or earn with doing laundry for wealthy ladies who do not want to do the work. I would also think for a moment or two, “God could have kept my husband alive.  He is in charge of things.  Why did He let me get in this condition?”   But, I couldn’t stay with that thought very long, for God has been so good to many people, and I still hoped that my future would be better with His help.  It got to the point that I thought it couldn’t get much worse.  But then I hurt my back and couldn’t bend over to do the laundry work anymore, and my earnings and nest egg faded away.  It got much worse.   I had jealously guarded my little nest egg for stormy weather, and those times when I couldn’t wash.  Little did I know that the storm I would face would not include bad weather, but would rather be a life without a husband, no children to help me, and a loss of my ability to make even a little money to sustain life.  I was desperate in my mind, and my conditions were no less desperate that day I went to the Temple.  I was down to my last two copper coins.     Before going to the Temple that day, on previous trips, I had had an agenda for going to the Temple mount.  I thought I could perhaps find help for my needs from people there?  Perhaps I would be able to find something, someone, or anything that could help me.  But, little did I realize how my life was changing and how the new view of my last penny would change how I valued it?  So, let me get to the point of my story.     I saw Him sitting with some men near the Temple.  He was the man who had only the day before turned over the moneychanger tables, and sent them packing.  He sent those greedy scoundrels scurrying everywhere to gather their money and the animals that were being driven in a wild panic by Him.  Talk about mayhem?  Talk about getting what they deserved?  That was the most fun I had had in a while.  The day before this happened, this same man had ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey, while people were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!” He sure got the power structure in arms over that coming out party of His! I heard it was then that those religious leaders plotted His capture and death, for they were afraid of losing their positions and power. He knew what He did that day would bring their hatred down on Him. But we could see in His eyes that His stare was fixed on something of far greater importance than their approval, or even His own life.   I had listened to His teachings several times when He was at the Temple, and He gave us all so much hope. He spoke of a relationship with His Father that He wanted us all to have. He gave many stories that helped us see things that none of the Scribes and Pharisees or Rabbis had been able to open our eyes to. He helped us understand Heaven like He had been there before, and understand God’s values like none of us had ever thought of. He gave us courage to face life. I wasn’t there when He preached the greatest sermon on hope that has ever been given. He gave His sermon on a mount by the Sea of Galilee, far from my home. But people who heard Him told us that He told the people to not worry about tomorrow or the things that we wear or where to get food, for our Heavenly Father knows our needs and He will take care of them. He said that instead we should seek God and His kingdom first, and that all those things would be taken care of. Like I said, Jesus’ words gave us a lot of hope, and yes, courage as well. I suppose that is what happened to me, and why I made my way to the Temple that day with a different reason than my asking for a customary request for help? When I heard the words that He said, and the promises He made, I took them to heart. I cannot describe to you how His words instilled hope in me. I can only say that they made me believe God’s promises as never before. They made me believe that I was of great value to Him. He said that two sparrows were worth about same amount of money that I carried in my scarf, and they were of great value to God. But more importantly, He said that people are far more valuable than those sparrows. Jesus said for us to look how the birds are cared for, and certainly if God takes care of them, He will also do the same for me. It was with that thought in mind that I made my way to the Temple. I don’t think it was coincidental that giving my two copper coins were needed to be a demonstration of my faith. But I went there for that reason. I just wanted to abandon my fear of being without, and to trust His words as if they were coming from God Himself.   As I walked to the offering box, I wanted to be in the shadows with my gift, for like I said, … it was so little. Compared to the self-seeking attention of many of the large donors, I was overlooked, which I liked. I dropped my offering in the basket and eased away while praying, “Father, I know this is not much, and it will not help the Temple that much. But I ask you to take my last two copper coins and allow them to help others in some way. I know you will take care of my needs. I take You at your word on this. I’m not worried about this anymore. I just thank you that I had something to give while I came to understand what it really means to give to You. I would have hated to be without something to give You with the new heart and hope you have given me, even if it is not much. Thank You for this privilege Father.”   As I walked away I had this strange sense that someone was watching me. I looked around and saw that it was the man called Jesus. He looked me in the eyes while talking to the men around Him, and then He gave me a nod and a smile that made me know that He saw what I had done, and my little offering had brought pleasure to the Father. That is what Jesus did for us. He helped us understand the heart of the Father, and by giving the last two copper coins that I owned to the Lord, it helped me discover the Treasure of the Universe. I can truly say by what followed that I got the best end of the deal!   As I close this Easter devotional I must say in all honesty that I do not know if my story was close to the real story of the old widow. But, in my heart of heart, I think this is the kind of thing that happens to us all, when it is our desire to bring pleasure to the Father. However, I will say for sure that Jesus was pleased by her faith, and in my book her act of faith got her included in “Faith's Hall of Fame.” God bless you my brothers and sisters, this holy week. Remember: JESUS HAS RISEN, AND HE REIGNS OVER HEAVEN AND EARTH.   HE reigns over your life as well. Be blessed by our Savior who knows you, and is watching over you and yours.