Weekend Words

 From Our Daily Bread...

Watching Out For One Another - Read Zechariah 7:4-10

"Show mercy and compassion to one another." - Zechariah 7:9

Jose, a seventy-seven year old substitute teacher, had been living out of his car for eight years.  Every night, the elderly man bunked down in his 1977 Ford Thunderbird LX, carefully monitoring the car battery as it powered his computer for his evening's work.  Instead of using the money earmarked for rent, Jose sent it to numerous family members in Mexico who needed it more.  Early every morning, one of the teacher's former students saw Jose rummaging through his trunk.  "I just felt I needed to do something about it," the man said.  So, he launched a fundraiser and weeks later handed Jose a check to help him pay for a place to live.

Though Scripture repeatedly instructs us to watch out for one another, it's sometimes difficult to see past our own concerns.  The prophet Zechariah rebuked Israel who, rather than worshiping God or serving others, were "feasting for [them]selves" (Zechariah 7:6).  Ignoring their shared communal life, they disregarded their neighbors' need.  Zechariah made God's instructions clear: the people were to "administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another...[and] not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor" (vv. 9-10).

While it's easy to be consumed with our own needs, faithfulness calls us to attend to the needs of others.  In the divine economy, there's plenty for all.  And God, in His mercy, chooses to use us to give some of that plenty to others.

- Winn Collier

Who are some of the people that you're responsible to care for?  Where do you find yourself consumed with your own concerns?

God, please give me greater vision to care for my neighbors. 

From Beside The Still Waters...

Little Is Much - Read Matthew 6:1-8, Mark 12:28-44

"Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God." - 2 Corinthians 9:11

It was a grand scene: the holy hush inside the temple courtyard accented by the swish of richly colored robes as wealthy Jews dropped their offerings into the collection boxes on the walls.  Jesus watched with interest as people passed through.

A poorly dressed woman entered and timidly proceeded to the waiting box.  Cling, clink!  Two small coins dropped into the box.  Turning, she slipped out of the room ... but not before the carpenter of Nazareth smiled His approval.  Jesus explained to His disciples that this poor widow had put in more than any of the others.

The disciples were probably incredulous.  How could two pennies be more than large amounts of money?  But in His usual insightful way, Jesus was speaking of how the ratios compared.  To give $5,000 out of a lush profit of $50,000 is not as generous as giving two cents, if the latter is the whole of a person's wealth.

This widow gave everything: she had no more.  And very likely the heart behind her act was purer and nobler than the hearts of the wealthier upper class.  The song, "Little is much when God is in it" emphasizes an important truth: God notices small acts of love.  He sees the  alms done in secret, the humble service, the cup of cold water.  Do not underestimate His ability to multiply your offering abundantly if you give it in faith and in Jesus' name.

According to 1 Corinthians 16:2, each person is to give "as God hath prospered him."  We need to give generously and cheerfully because "God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).  Remember, "Little is much when God is in it."

- Nathan Wanner - Malden, MA

Little deeds of kindness, little words of love, make our earth an Eden, Like the Heaven above. - Julia Abigail Carney