Baptism and Giving

Baptized two at church today and preached a sermon on discipleship from the book of Acts. There was a good crowd there to see this couple begin a life of discipleship. Met with a young couple this afternoon and it was good to them desiring to do God's will. I preached on giving this morning from Mark 12:41-44. If my Sunday School continues to grow we may have to move to the auditorium or split. I prefer to move to the auditorium. In all it was a good day.

I have much to do tomorrow. Visiting the nursing home will be the high point of the day. Bank and Post office will come next and then to the office for some much needed work and study. Should be able to finish the Sunday School lesson and my Wednesday night questions tomorrow. I plan to take the day off on Thursday and get some work done on my tent. I really need to get it finished and get to working on the rest of my gear for the hike and supplies.

A brief outline of the sermon I preached this morning on giving:

(Malachi 3:8) Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
(Malachi 3:9) Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation.
(Malachi 3:10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].
(2 Corinthians 9:7) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
(Matthew 6:21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(Luke 18:22) Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Jesus Beholds Our Giving
The woman in this story sets the bar at its maximum possible height.
(Mark 12:41) And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
Jesus beholds our giving.
Jesus beholds how we give.
Jesus beholds what we give. Time, Money, Possessions, labor.
Jesus beholds the quantity of our giving.
Jesus beholds where we give. Church, the poor, the world.
(Mark 12:42) And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
Jesus beholds our individual giving. Not counted as a group.
Jesus beholds our financial status.
Jesus beholds our potential for giving.
(Mark 12:43) And he called [unto him] his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
Jesus beholds our giving so that He may teach others about giving.
Jesus beholds our giving to commend those who give cheerfully, sacrificially, lovingly.
(Mark 12:44) For all [they] did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, [even] all her living.
Jesus beholds our giving as an act of faith.
Conclusion: This certain poor widow gave to God. She did not give to the temple, She did not give to the priests, She did not give to an undeserving corrupt worship system. She gave to God.