Daily Devotion, February 16, 2022

Devotion:

Read Luke 11:42.

It’s just one verse, but it is full of eye-opening and heart-opening possibilities! There is a similar verse in Matthew 23:23, and in both Jesus is teaching the Pharisees and his disciples who are listening that faith-life is a “both/and” way of life. The Pharisees were the highest and most excellent keepers of the law. They would even tithe (give 10%) from the smallest mint and herb! They probably had a great deal of pride about their excellence in keeping this detail of the law. But they had neglected the weightier matters of the law such as justice and the love of God. They had lost sight of how the tithe could help those who had nothing and was to be given to demonstrate God’s love for the world.

The words, actions and life of Christ help us to see that our words, actions and lives need to line up from a true love for God and others. When we profess our faith in Christ, we commit faithfulness to Christ and to his church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. All of these are inextricably linked together.

Yes, throughout scripture and Jesus is repeating here, that the tithe is still to be given AND to add to it the matters of justice and the love of God. Jesus’ message is just as relevant today! We too can sometimes take a lot of pride in our ability to give and lose sight of the needs around us.

Jesus is reaching into the heart of “giving” --- helping us to examine and see our true motives for giving. Sometimes giving can appear to be others-centered, but it is really self-centered. Some of the self-centered reasons are for pride, popularity or power. Jesus is calling us to let our giving truly be others-centered with a heart of humbleness, gratitude and sacrifice. Learning this way of Jesus helps us grow to a life of generosity.

Personal Worship Option:

Micah 6:8 from the Old Testament says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  Thank you, God, for enabling us to give of our time, talents and offerings. Help us to see new ways to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with You. Amen.