Midweek Morsel: Allowing Others to Bless Us

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 fraction of a penny.

 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, 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 12:41-44

Several lessons can be drawn from the story of the poor widow, but today let’s notice what Jesus didn’t do. Jesus didn’t stop the woman from giving to the temple treasury. He didn’t stop the poor widow from giving to God—from giving to him. He allowed her to give him a gift, even though her personal sacrifice to do so was great.

Do we allow others to bless us, to give to us? Or do we refuse them or try to discourage them from giving the gift? Jesus didn’t rob this precious woman from the blessing of giving. Let’s not do so in our lives either. Let’s allow others to give to us. Let’s receive the blessing.

*When have you allowed someone to give generously to you?

Comments

  1. OK … so this was the very scripture on my mind/heart this morning. In particular, God is using it to confirm what I’ve been thinking regarding an upcoming speaking engagement. I love how the Spirit of God works – even in our “little” and most often out of our poverty, he takes our gifts and multiplies them for his kingdom gain!

  2. Steven McCloud says

    Cheryl: This reminds me of an experience that I had with an elderly neighbor of ours many years ago. After I had completed some harvesting for him, he offered to pay and I refused of course. I’ve never forgotten his words: “My father always told me, if someone wants to do something nice for you, let them.” That’s old farmer wisdom and thanks once again for the reminder.

  3. Jennifer, I can’t imagine the kind of desperation that leads families to sell their children. How blessed we are…

  4. So true . When I’m allowed to bless someone, I end up feeling the one blessed. How wrong it would be for me to rob that from another by perceived obligatory politeness or a feeling of indebtedness on my part?
    Thanks for sharing, Cheryl.

    • Hey Andrea, what a blessing to hear from you! I think you hit on something when you mentioned politeness. It’s become standard to most of us to say, no, you don’t have to do that or no, that’s not necessary just because we’re trying to be polite or trying to give the standard response. We need to change what’s standard and allow others to give to us, don’t we? Hugs to you and your family!

  5. Great message – In the recent past I had signed up to take a meal to a family I don’t know in our church. I love to do that for others like that. Well, the time came and my day was very busy I was grumbling to myself as to why I had signed up and how on earth was I going to fit into my day? I made the meal (actually 2 meals one for now and one for the freezer). When I dropped off the meal and the man came to the door I gave it to him and asked how his wife was doing? He said good and tears filled his eyes when he thanked me for the meals. I walked away feeling so blessed and a little mad at myself for grumbling at the same time. I love doing things for others and thank God that I have the opportunity to do it.
    Now onto your question: A year ago I was going through a lot of stuff and felt like I was constantly giving -giving to everyone and had to stay strong through it all. I was given a gift from 2 dear friends to go to a spa and have a massage. I thanked them with tears in my eyes because they cared so much and wanted to treat me to something special. It was so unexpected and awesome. God is so good!

    • Nanette, thanks for sharing a couple of great examples of the blessings of both giving and receiving. Those are dear friends indeed who treated you to the massage. Caring gestures — no matter what they are — can make such a huge difference to someone needing encouragement, can’t they?

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