Devotional

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  —1 Samuel 16:7 

 Do you remember this scene from Mark’s gospel? “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents” (Mark 12:41–42). 

 Jesus seized upon this as a teachable moment.  

 “Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on’” (Mark 12:43-44). 

 What’s evident in this account is that it’s not the amount that is important, but the heart of the giver and her sacrifice in bringing her gift. Like with the widow’s offering, when we give sacrificially, God is honored. As our verse this week testifies, our God looks at the heart. 

 What does He see looking at your heart? How sacrificial has your love been? Your serving been? Your giving been? Have you acted in such a way as to gain the notice and approval of men, or so that God alone sees your sacrifice and is glorified? 

 Take a look in the mirror. Pray. Our God is honored when we give—and live—from the heart.  

 My prayer for this week: 

Lord, thank you! You have graciously given me everything in Jesus. I recognize that all I have has come from you. I want to be a responsible and generous steward of the gracious gifts you have lavished upon me. Will you stir within me a heart to love, serve, and give sacrificially?