Devotional: Just a Dollar: Mark 12:41-44

“Thank you. May God bless you,” the lady says as I reach out my car window and give her a one dollar bill. When I go to my grocery store I often see this woman at the street light where two streets that I must travel intersect. I see her most times that I go to the store. Initially, I would offer her a dollar only once in awhile. Then, I decided to be prepared to offer her a dollar each time the street light was red and I had to stop. Instead of waiting to get my money out of my wallet, I had dollar bills ready to give at anytime. Now, a dollar is not a lot of money, and giving this woman a dollar does not cost me much. I am motivated by the generosity of my daughter who has been known to give her last dollar to help someone in need. She says that she does not worry about giving her last dollar because she is sure that she can get the money that she needs from me—her father.

In our story from Mark’s gospel Jesus observes people putting money into the treasury, including some very rich people. A poor widow comes by. She puts two small copper coins into the treasury. Jesus takes this opportunity to teach His disciples a lesson. The large sums that the rich gave were less than the two pennies that the woman gave. This woman gave everything that she possessed even though she was poor.

I cannot count the number of times that I have offered the lady at the stop sign a dollar. I know is that for me the sum total is not very much. You see a dollar might make a big difference to the lady, but for me, it’s just a dollar. I pray that my little donation will help the woman in a great way. I am thankful that the Lord provides for my needs, and I have something left over to help others.

Prayer: Lord we thank you for providing the means by which we can help others. Amen.