The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Mark 12:41-44, “And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the multitude were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums.

42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.

43 And calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;

44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

It’s difficult to open email or view television today without being besieged for money!

Give! Give! they cry. It’s only $19 a month! That’s only 63 cents a day! The portrayal of poor, unfortunate kids simply tugs at your heart! Often, however, things are not quite like they appear.

I learned in India of a man who enlisted a number of young people, gave them bicycles and Bibles and had them pose for a picture. They were touted as the man’s “evangelistic team” that was going out to share the Gospel. Once the picture was taken, the Bibles and bicycles were confiscated, and the kids disappeared into the crowd. The picture, however, was used to raise money from unsuspecting victims.

Jesus watched carefully as people, rich and poor, gave money to the Temple treasury.

As the Scripture says, “…many rich people were putting in large sums.” But a poor

I remember reading this as a kid. I knew the Bible was true and that Jesus did not lie,

but I couldn’t figure out how the widow gave “more” than the rich men. But, she did.

She gave everything she had! And there was absolutely nothing left for food.

This Letter is not a plea for you to give more to your church. It simply says that you

cannot out-give God! Further, while we ought to give money to the LORD’s work, He

wants us more than He wants anything that we possess. Is your life committed to

Him? Are you giving your time and your talents to Him? Do you want Him to notice

you and bless your life? Yield it all to Him! Like the poor widow, you will be noticed

and blessed by the Savior.

Our prayers of love and concern continue for you.

Please pray for Nana as she has her heart procedure today.

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”