But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. — Mark 12:42
A reporter, interviewing Mother Theresa, said to her, "It takes a lot of money to do the work of God, doesn’t it?"
"No," she replied, "just sacrifice."
When these copper coins fell into the collection plate at the temple, I like to think that the foundations of the earth shook. Jesus stopped everything He was doing, and smiled.
Here was a woman whose name we do not yet know, but I can assure you, she is well known in heaven.
This is the way of the cross. All that she had and all that she was — everything was given away, freely, to the God she loves.
I used to think that the important thing was what we had to offer. But that isn’t the important thing. God is not grading you on your abilities; He is celebrating the you that has been given with total abandon to Him.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.