"And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. 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. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 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: 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."
Today's lesson should be one of the most important lessons a child of God can learn beyond how to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and the elements of his/her own salvation.
The scribes that Jesus warned about in the beginning of this lesson could very well be what is recognized as the majority of today's "church" practitioners. In far to many of our modern churches, the preacher will be clad in some kind of robe or other garment that sets him/herself apart from the rest of the congregation. The same applies to many "church" choirs, since they too are generally clad in long robes that distinguish them form the congregation. Today's "church" is also infested with many other select "ministries" that cater only to small part of the general congregation.
In my opinion, these things are the very practices Jesus warned us about in today's lesson. He made it very clear that the children of God are to separate themselves from the rest of the world ONLY by their Godly actions and obedience to the two great commandments. We are certainly not to set ourselves apart by dressing in distinguishing clothing so as to present ourselves as superior to others in the church.
"Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation." (Luke 20:45-47)
This lesson also demonstrates that it is far more important in the sight of God that we give from the things that we need the most so as to demonstrate the true spirit of giving, as did the widow referenced in today's quote.
We, as true Christians, are to remain humble in every thing we do, especially in our fellowship with our brothers and sisters. We are to give until it hurts knowing that whatever we give for the sake of God, we will receive a hundred fold in return; "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." (Matthew 19:29)~
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