March 28th, 2022
by Mike DePope
by Mike DePope
Monday, March 28
EXTRAVAGANCE by Marilee Medley
Luke 21:1-4
Looking up, Jesus saw rich people throwing their gifts into the collection box for the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow throw in two small copper coins worth a penny. He said, “I assure you that this poor widow has put in more than them all. All of them are giving out of their spare change. But she from her hopeless poverty has given everything she had to live on.”
Reflection
What would make this woman give everything she had? A tenth of a coin, sure. Maybe one of her two coins. But both coins, knowing that her pockets would be empty? That seems excessive. Maybe irresponsible. Maybe a little crazy.
The Bible doesn’t tell us why, but here’s one idea. The life of a poor widow was grueling and hopeless. I wonder if in the midst of the everyday battle to survive, her heart longed for something bigger. To see something wonderful and inexplicable. To break out of the grueling grind of the everyday and be amazed by a breathtaking, awe-inspiring God. I wonder if she put those two coins in the basket to see what God would do with them. And by extension, to see God.
And here’s my hope: we know Who was in the audience that day. As she made her gift and turned around to return to her seat, I hope she came face to face with the One who is Wonder, who is Awe, who is the very God she sought. And I hope she knew full well Who she was seeing.
Question for Contemplation
Why do I give? What am I looking for?
Prayer
O Father, you have shown us time and again that you use our gifts in mighty ways, allowing us to be part of Your kingdom work in ways we could never imagine. Please give us open hearts and hands and pockets, to give with joyful expectation of what You’ll do.
Looking up, Jesus saw rich people throwing their gifts into the collection box for the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow throw in two small copper coins worth a penny. He said, “I assure you that this poor widow has put in more than them all. All of them are giving out of their spare change. But she from her hopeless poverty has given everything she had to live on.”
Reflection
What would make this woman give everything she had? A tenth of a coin, sure. Maybe one of her two coins. But both coins, knowing that her pockets would be empty? That seems excessive. Maybe irresponsible. Maybe a little crazy.
The Bible doesn’t tell us why, but here’s one idea. The life of a poor widow was grueling and hopeless. I wonder if in the midst of the everyday battle to survive, her heart longed for something bigger. To see something wonderful and inexplicable. To break out of the grueling grind of the everyday and be amazed by a breathtaking, awe-inspiring God. I wonder if she put those two coins in the basket to see what God would do with them. And by extension, to see God.
And here’s my hope: we know Who was in the audience that day. As she made her gift and turned around to return to her seat, I hope she came face to face with the One who is Wonder, who is Awe, who is the very God she sought. And I hope she knew full well Who she was seeing.
Question for Contemplation
Why do I give? What am I looking for?
Prayer
O Father, you have shown us time and again that you use our gifts in mighty ways, allowing us to be part of Your kingdom work in ways we could never imagine. Please give us open hearts and hands and pockets, to give with joyful expectation of what You’ll do.
Posted in Lent Devotional 2022
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Archive
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
2023
January
February
Explore - Week 1Explore - Week 2Explore - Week 3Explore - Week 4God is Leading Us Forward // M-Note 2.3.23SENT: Week 1 Discussion GuideSomething To Try This Weekend // M-Note 2.10.23SENT: Week 2 Discussion GuideWe're Doing Something Big! // M-Note 2.17.23SENT: Week 3 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 1Lent Devotional Day 2Lent Devotional Day 3SENT: Week 4 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 4Lent Devotional Day 5Lent Devotional Day 6Lent Devotional Day 7
March
Lent Devotional Day 8Lent Devotional Day 9Celebrating BEYOND // M-Note 3.3.2023Who Is Jesus: BONUS Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 10Lent Devotional Day 11Lent Devotional Day 12Who Is Jesus: Week 1 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 13Lent Devotional Day 14Lent Devotional Day 15Lent Devotional Day 16Lent Devotional Day 17The Evening Service is BACK!!! // M-Note 3.10.23Lent Devotional Day 18Lent Devotional Day 19Who Is Jesus: Week 2 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 20Lent Devotional Day 21Lent Devotional Day 22Lent Devotional Day 23The Most Important Sunday of the Year // M-Note 3.17.23Who Is Jesus: Week 3 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 24Lent Devotional Day 25Lent Devotional Day 26Lent Devotional Day 27Lent Devotional Day 28Lent Devotional Day 29Lent Devotional Day 30The Power of Easter and Invitation // M-Note 3.24.23Lent Devotional Day 31Who Is Jesus: Week 4 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 32Lent Devotional Day 33Lent Devotional Day 34Lent Devotional Day 35
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