Today you should read: Luke 21:1-9
After the stock market crash of 1929, there was a wave of suicides. The numbers are a little hard to pin down, but it seems like over 100 people took their lives in the wake of the Great Depression. More recently, a huge uptick of suicides occurred in 2009 and following related to the economic downturn of 2008. It seems like every time the stock market plummets, so do its investors. Why?
As we open our passage for today, we read of the remarkable story of a widow willing to give everything she had to the Lord. Her faithful generosity was so great that he investment was recorded in the eternal Word of God—despite its meager sum. This is the opposite of the rich who were coming and giving much more, monetarily speaking, but much less as it relates to their hearts.
Money has a direct link to our heart and it’s one of the primary means by which we can express worship and trust in the Lord. God doesn’t need your money, but He does want your heart. He wants you to want Him and trust Him with everything, including your bank account. We can’t out-give God. Nor can we actually depend on anything but God.
If your entire trust is in your wealth, you’re likely to jump out of a window when it disappears. If, however, you place your trust in the Lord, you will not be surprised when trouble comes. As beautiful as the temple was, Jesus predicted its destruction when He said, “As for [the Temple and its adornments], the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.” (v. 6)
The Romans destroyed the temple and fulfilled this prophecy of Jesus around 70 AD. This event was worse for the Jews than 1929 in America. As much glory as the rich men received in verse 1 from giving such great sums, it didn’t even last into the next generation. However, the meager sum given by the widow, given with a heart that fully trusted the Lord, has encouraged believers in every generation. Wealth withers, but investing in eternity will reap exponentially more than what was sown.
Question:
What are you investing in with eternal significance?
What has increased with your pay raises, your standard of living or your standard of giving?
What are you trusting in more than the Lord for security, comfort, etc.?
By: Tyler Short — Connections Ministry Associate
JumpstartCPC.com 
Great passage Tyler – but very short commentary. Not like you….😀
Great words Tyler I was thinking the same thing lol
“What has increased with your pay raises, your standard of living or your standard of giving?” Dang.
We heard a missionary speak at the Pepper’s House last night and we were convicted about our giving and sacrifice. very timely jumpstart
Great commentary Tyler. I’ve researched those suicides a couple times before when Keller has used them as illustrations with this same subject and it’s a great example of idolatry.
There it is. Great words Tyler. Thank you. Just teasing before – there was no commentary at all when I first looked.