21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 2023: Day 16

Tuesday, February 21
DAY 16: SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY

READ
Mark 12:41-44

REFLECT
Imagine a scenario where the celebrities mentioned yesterday each gave $100 to a nonprofit that helped those less fortunate. They may give a press conference that reveals their donation knowing it would give them praise from the public. However, let’s also picture another individual who gave $1 to this same nonprofit. Much of the public would not be impressed at first glance. However, what if this $1 was from a little child who gave from their small piggy bank?

A scenario similar to this actually took place several thousand years ago as told in Mark 12:41-44. Jesus was observing people giving to the temple and noticed a poor widow who had given sacrificially. Jesus pointed out this widow’s example, remarking that although many had given donations, only the widow was generous.

Generosity is not simply giving. It is giving sacrificially. We may not be able to give as much as someone else, but, from God’s perspective, we can give much based on what we have to give. In other words, if we give and it doesn’t hurt to give, then are we really expressing sacrificial generosity?

RESPOND
Spend time in prayer, following the Upward, Inward, Outward, Upward format.

Upward: Who God is; What God has done, is doing, will do

Inward: Who you are; How you live

Outward: Intercession for others

Today’s Prayer:
“Father, show me what it looks like for me to give sacrificially and with the right motives. Help me not to draw attention to my generosity. Guide me this week and reveal to whom I can express sacrificial generosity. Guide us a church family to be generous in this way to each other and to those who do not know you as Lord and Savior.”

Upward: Thanksgiving and Worship