But she out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on.
Mark 12:44

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Thru the Bible '04

Pray4me
PrayerRm
I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers

* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans

* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself

In Leviticus, a representative from each of twelve tribes of Israel came in that many days to bring their sacrifice to the altar in the Tabernacle in order to dedicate its use. The altar of God was no doubt a special place.

God still expects his people to bring their best when they come to the altar to worship, pray or make an offering. It's not surprising then that Jesus would be angry when religious leaders paraded their false holiness in front of the people. It's as if they served God for recognition rather than out of their love for Him.

Jesus told his disciples the amount of an offering was not as important as the spirit in which it was given. He saw the piety of the teachers of the law when they made long prayers to impress everyone, but he was impressed by the spirit of the poor widow who gave everything she had in a spirit of quiet submission. ( Mk 12:38;44)

The contrast between the pompous teachers and the humble widow is one that should get our attention today. That's because God is still not impressed with the flourish of public worship, but rather the spirit by which we approach him when no one is around.

Today, you may find yourself at home rather than at work. If that's the case, you will most likely do those things that you enjoy doing rather than what your employer expects. There's nothing wrong with spending time with your family, enjoying recreation with friends or casually enjoying conversation with others.

Those are good things, but many feel they're expected to get up, dress up, grab their Bible and go to church as part of a weekly routine. When they walk into church, they're given a program to tell them what will happen, in what order and when it's going to be over. Afterwards, they go home and get back to doing what they want to do until its time to perform again. It's sad, but all too true.

Just suppose that God looks at you as you walk into a church meeting this weekend. Will he see in you a spirit that is putting on a religious show for everyone to see or will He see in you an humble spirit, ready to worship and someone who can't get enough of being in God's house around God's people?

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Nm. 6:1-7:89 Mk. 12:38-13:13 Ps. 49:1-20 Pr. 10:27-28 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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