Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
A Walk with the Master Series
Giving
Mark 12:41-44
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. Mar 12:42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. Mar 12:43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. Mar 12:44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
We continue our walk with the Master as Jesus teaches another life lesson to His disciples. Following the instructions on the hypocrisy of the scribes, Jesus turns to a lesson on giving.
The disciples were still in the temple where Jesus had been teaching. They were observing the giving of tithes as taught by the Old Testament law. Many of the rich were dropping their money into the offering box. Some of them sought to draw attention to themselves by shaking the bag to show how much they were depositing. Others even had people with trumpets to announce their giving. This was just a means of drawing attention to their “false” spirituality.
While the disciples were watching the rich, Jesus had His attention on a poor widow who passed by to give her offering. Then the Lord called their attention to the widow to teach them a lesson on true giving. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.
The lesson taught giving by comparison. The rich gave only a portion of what they had; the widow gave all. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, we find a lesson on the heart attitude of the offering. The point is this; whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. We are to give with a willing heart. The Lord looks at the attitude of the gift, and He rewards accordingly. The widow gave all she had. She put the Lord first and trusted Him for whatever came next. According to the Scriptures, the Lord promises He will meet our need when we give in a way that pleases Him. This is seen in 2 Corinthians 9:8, And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. In Philippians 4:19, there is another promise that God will supply when we give to His work. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Our lesson today on giving is clear. We are to give with a willing heart and give bountifully. Let this be our attitude when it comes time give our offering to the Lord!
Bible Reading for the Year
May 14th, 2 Kings 15-17; John 6:1-21
Prayer Needs
Please be in prayer for the family of John Leroy Jones. He is Shirley Deans’ brother who passed away Monday morning.
Please pray for Shirley Deans. Shirley saw the ear, throat, and nose doctor about her throat cancer. She will have a PET scan on Friday, May 15th over her entire body. On the 27th she will see the cancer doctor about the PET scan, and on the 28th she will have surgery to biopsy a lymph node in her neck.
Please also pray for Kenny Deans. He is continuing treatment for his leg. He will also be seeing a doctor about possible kidney stones.
Please pray for Peggy Warren. She fell Sunday and is in a lot of pain. She had a doctor’s visit on Monday to check up on her condition.
Please pray for Jimmy Dixon’s father who was diagnosed with lung cancer and is being transferred to hospice. Pray also for Jimmy and Donna as they stay at his home in Halifax for a while.
Thank you for praying for Dr. Joe Jordan. He was to have dialysis on Monday, but it was canceled since he did not need it. He seems to be getting better. Praise the Lord! Please continue to pray.
Please continue praying for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. She had a Keytruda infusion on Thursday, May 7th. She is also having stomach issues caused by the medication. Please continue to pray for complete healing.
Please continue to pray for Robbie Harvey who has MAC lung disease. He fell and broke several ribs, but he is feeling better now. He has started a new medication for his lung disease.
Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve.
____________________________________________________________
Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia