Luke 21
COMMENTARY:
: 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. (5303 “penury” [husterema] means which is lacking, poverty, destitution, deficiency, need, want, or shortcoming.)
DEVOTION: Jesus used this word to describe the rich young ruler. He told him that he “lacked” one thing and that was to sell all and follow HIM. He walked away because he had great wealth.
This poor widow had nothing to speak of as far as wealth was concerned. She only had two mites to her name. This was one hundredth of a daily wage in her day. She was giving away her bread money.
Jesus thought that giving was measured by the degree of sacrifice when we give. The rich people were giving out of their discretionary fund but keeping more than enough for themselves.
When we give we need to determine if we are giving not only what is expected but over and above what is expected at times. We are expected to give ten percent to the local church that we attend if it is a Biblical church. We are to give offerings above that at times to help other ministries. There have been people who have given as much as ninety percent of their income and lived on ten percent. The LORD has blessed those who give with the proper attitude.
The rich people who were giving were giving for show. They wanted the people around them to see how much they were dropping into the offering box outside the Temple. Coins would make noise that others could hear. When a lot of coins were given people would probably turn to see who was giving. This was giving in the wrong attitude.
Today some churches have a box in the back of the church where people can put their offering envelopes in with no noise and no show. Others have offering bags so people can’t really see what others are giving.
Our goal should be to give as the LORD has blessed us to the church and others. It should never be for show. When we help someone who is poor in the church it should be done secretly and the LORD will bless you openly. There should be no one in the church that is suffering because no one is helping them through difficult times.
CHALLENGE: Always give so only the LORD really knows how much you are giving. Your tithe might be know but your offering can be between you and the LORD.
: 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what you shall answer: :15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. (471 “gainsay” [antepo] means say against, contradict, to speak in opposition to, refute, or to say in return.)
DEVOTION: In many countries in our world there are people being arrested and killed for their faith in Jesus Christ. Some of these people are brought to trial to give a defense of their actions. The problem is that in many countries they don’t want to know if someone is doing good but only if they are worshiping the proper god of the nation.
Many false religions have a god or gods that they worship. They think that their god or gods want them to kill anyone who doesn’t worship them. So they kill them and/or take their property away from them. They will mistreat people in the name of their god or gods.
Christians are supposed to be different. Those who are genuine believers are different. There have been times when those who claim to be believers have hurt people in the name of the God of the Bible. They were not good followers of God. HE wants those who are genuine to leave the judging to HIM.
If it comes to the point where we have to defend ourselves in court in this country we need to realize as those in other countries realize that the LORD will give us just the right words to say when we stand before the judge. They might not listen but we will be saying what the LORD want us to say.
Remember that Jesus Christ gave a testimony before the ruler of the nation of Judah at HIS trial and they still crucified HIM. The Holy Spirit will give us the strength to give a testimony before judges even if they will not listen. HE knows what will happen. We are to trust HIM no matter what on all occasions.
CHALLENGE: Prayer will allow the Holy Spirit to give you the right answers to those who are questioning your faith.
: 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles is fulfilled. (4137 “fulfilled” [pleroo] means complete, to cause to abound, to consummate, come to an end, bring about, to finish, or make full.)
DEVOTION: When the children of Israel left Egypt to go to the Promised Land the Bible stated that the time of the Amorite was over. They were the ones who occupied the Promised Land before the children of Israel took over. Their sins were full. It was time for the LORD to deal with them through the children of Israel.
Here we find that the time of the Gentiles is going to be fulfilled. We don’t know when that time is going to be but we are living in the times of the Gentiles. It started with the ministry of Jesus Christ and will end when the church is taken in the Rapture.
Once the church leaves there will be 144,000 Jewish virgins sealed by the LORD to witness during the seventieth week of Daniel. The Jewish nation will realize that the Messiah has come and they will have seven years to make a decision for Christ. There will be two witnesses in Jerusalem at the same time. It is thought that these witnesses will be either Moses and Elijah or Enoch and Elijah. They will be killed and then raised from the dead for the entire world to see.
So the LORD has a plan and is working HIS plan for the Gentile nations as well as for the Jewish nation. HE is not in the dark as to what is happening in our nation and in the rest of the nations of the world. HE is not surprised.
We would like things to be different at times but we need to realize that God stated HIS plan in the Word of God and we have to pray for wisdom to understand what HE is doing and witness.
CHALLENGE: The LORD is still on the throne and HE know what is happening our world and in our life. Trust HIM!!!
: 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. (925 “overcharged” [baruno] means be troubled, be under pressure, to weigh down, burden, depress, effects of gluttony, drowsiness, affections of the soul or load.)
DEVOTION: Jesus watches a widow give to the LORD of all her income. Other give out of their wealth. The disciples were impressed with the looks of the temple. Jesus told them that the temple would be destroyed.
This caused them to ask when these things were going to happen. Jesus gave them signs that would happen before this would take place. The list of signs was long. It included a time of persecution and betrayal.
They were told that they were to watch and pray. These signs could accord at any time. They had to be prepared. Part of the warning was that they should not be troubled. They should not be weighed down. They should not act sleepy. What would cause this to happen? One cause would be drunkenness. The second would be the actions of those who were drunken. The third would be the cares of this life. All these things could keep the disciples from being prepared for HIS second coming.
This verse is warning those who are listening to Jesus to keep their eyes focused on HIM and not think that what HE is saying isn’t going to happen. Many times we will come across people who say that Jesus hasn’t returned for two thousand years, so why should we think it is going to happen. They think that they can eat, drink and be merry because there is no judgment day coming.
If someone is drinking intoxicating drinks or being giddy or concerned about daily life, he can’t be watching for the LORD’S return properly.
Are we falling victim to any of these three things? Are we watching for the LORD’S return properly? The only one who can answer these questions is the one reading these devotions. Do we get up each morning saying, Even so come Lord Jesus?
Check to see if you are asleep at the wheel. Are you getting depressed at what is happening in our world? Are you concerned about paying your bills? Are you part of the crowd that says “HE is never coming back?”
CHALLENGE: Are you “Occupying until HE returns?” OR are you serving the LORD with all your strength?
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