Day 19: Time is Money

Read Mark 11-12

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 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. 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.” -Mark 12:41-44

The Gospels are full of such great parables that help us gain a better understanding of how we should live our daily lives. This particular passage is one that we are taught as young children. I remember telling this story as a child for Sunday school competitions. Everyone is giving their money to church but then this woman comes and gives 2 coins. I vaguely remember showing the audience 2 fingers to emphasize the fact that she only gave 2 coins. But as children, do we really fully comprehend the underlying message of this parable? Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.” She had given everything she had.

More then the actual amount of money that the woman gave to the church, what mattered was her heart. Her intention and the fact she gave everything. Are we giving everything that we have to the church or God? This doesn’t have to be just money. In this day and age, what is just as valuable? Time. How much time are we giving to God? Whether it be talking about Him or glorifying his name? Are we truly doing everything we can to be true disciples of Jesus Christ or only a portion of our time that we see fit? The Lord sees our hearts and what our intentions are. He knows us better then we know ourselves. It’s important that we better ourselves and we do things not for our own selfish desires but to help others.

In many portions of the Bible it talks about giving over and over again. Mathew 25:35-36 says, “For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me." All these things we do for others it just as though we are doing it for Jesus. This Lent season, give your time to God. Give to those who need. If not financially, offer your time. If you don’t have time, offer your prayer. Not only during Lent, but everyday let us give all that we can to those who need more. Let us use our talents and gifts to glorify God and worship His name. With pure intentions and grateful hearts let us strive to give ALL that we have to our God who gives us everything.

- Reena Thomas