Our church is using a devotional for lent called The Sanctuary for Lent. Yesterday’s devo struck a chord. It’s based on the short story in Luke 21:1-4 of the poor woman putting two coins in the offering and Jesus honoring her for it. Here’s what Dr. John Harnish had to say:

“Preachers love to use this text during the fall stewardship campaign. We bring out the little lady with two coins, hold her up against the wealthy, and make everyone feel guilty for a Sunday or so until we make the budget. the we send her back to her quiet corner for another year. The story sounds different when you read it during Holy Week. Knowing that Jesus is about to give his life, knowing that it was the rich and powerful who were turning against him, knowing what we know about this week, her gift takes on new significance as a symbol of the giving of our lives to the one who will give his life for us. My act of faithful tithing is not just about meeting the church budget in October; it is about the sacrificial giving of my time, talents, and treasure under the encroaching shadow of the cross.

Jesus gave it all. So did she. So should we.”

The Sanctuary for Lent 2009, Dr. John E. Harnish, Abingdon Press, Used by Permission