Listen

As he was teaching, he said, “Watch out for the legal experts. They like to walk around in long robes. They want to be greeted with honor in the markets. They long for places of honor in the synagogues and at banquets. They are the ones who cheat widows out of their homes, and to show off they say long prayers. They will be judged most harshly.”

Mark 12:38-40

Think

Jesus was not talking about lawyers. Back then, the people with the most power would interpret the laws and instruct what those laws were. They had lots of power and wealth, and they loved to strut around. Their motivation for giving was self-serving. They may have given it all, but their price was high.

So, why do you give? Is it so other people will notice what you gave? I remember playing basketball in junior high. There was a difference between those who had a heart for the team and played accordingly and those who played for themselves.

I have to wonder if we are truly giving if there is an ounce of self in the action. It’s worth taking the time to pause when we act and reflect on this question, for whenever our motivation is self-promotion, we are not truly giving. It is great to give our all, but let’s focus on the one we are giving to as opposed to what we can get out of it and who is watching and noticing our giving.

Andy Hart

Pray

Holy One, thank you for this day. Please give me a heart to give out of love and not for selfish gain. Amen.

Go

Someone once said: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

Go out today to make your life by giving.

Give love, give joy, give selflessly, give generously.

Give your all.