The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
April 22
Luke 21:1-28
Commentary by Nick Boork
April 22
Luke 21:1-28
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April 22 - Luke 21:1-28
And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” 5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”
8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” 10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
OKAY, HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Let’s look at how Jesus views our offerings. As Jesus observed people giving offerings at the Temple He noticed the rich and prosperous giving offerings out of their abundance. This was commendable. They were worshiping God through financial offerings. Many churches struggle to pay the bills and are glad to have the extra to do more ministry in the community. I have heard it said that if every Christian would simply tithe there would be no lack of finances to hire staff, pay bills, support missionaries and do the kind of ministry that really helps the poor in their regions. I believe this is true.
I was taught the great value of tithing from the beginning of my walk with the Lord and have seen Him supply my needs and at times miraculously! However, statistics for 2012 from Church Development say that only about 5% of Christians tithe. The Barna Research Group puts the number even lower at about 3%. A tithe is 10% of our income. Take the challenge and become a tither! Your Church and Pastor need it and it’s the right thing to do. Give in faith and watch how God blesses you!
Besides the rich giving offerings in the temple, Jesus notices a poor widow. She put in everything she had a total of two mites. Bible scholars disagree with the exact value of the copper coins. Some say she gave about $2.00 others say the coins were valued at only a couple of cents. I think that the important thing is not the exact value of the coins but that Jesus put a high value on her giving. He said that she gave everything she had.
WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1. The Lord see’s people giving today and records everything.
2. The Church of Jesus Christ is worth supporting financially!
3. Become a tither, give 10% to your church and watch God bless you.
4. No matter how small you think your offering is, God values it greatly.
5. Remember, salvation is a FREE Gift from God no matter how much money you give!
And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” 5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”
8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” 10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
OKAY, HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Let’s look at how Jesus views our offerings. As Jesus observed people giving offerings at the Temple He noticed the rich and prosperous giving offerings out of their abundance. This was commendable. They were worshiping God through financial offerings. Many churches struggle to pay the bills and are glad to have the extra to do more ministry in the community. I have heard it said that if every Christian would simply tithe there would be no lack of finances to hire staff, pay bills, support missionaries and do the kind of ministry that really helps the poor in their regions. I believe this is true.
I was taught the great value of tithing from the beginning of my walk with the Lord and have seen Him supply my needs and at times miraculously! However, statistics for 2012 from Church Development say that only about 5% of Christians tithe. The Barna Research Group puts the number even lower at about 3%. A tithe is 10% of our income. Take the challenge and become a tither! Your Church and Pastor need it and it’s the right thing to do. Give in faith and watch how God blesses you!
Besides the rich giving offerings in the temple, Jesus notices a poor widow. She put in everything she had a total of two mites. Bible scholars disagree with the exact value of the copper coins. Some say she gave about $2.00 others say the coins were valued at only a couple of cents. I think that the important thing is not the exact value of the coins but that Jesus put a high value on her giving. He said that she gave everything she had.
WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1. The Lord see’s people giving today and records everything.
2. The Church of Jesus Christ is worth supporting financially!
3. Become a tither, give 10% to your church and watch God bless you.
4. No matter how small you think your offering is, God values it greatly.
5. Remember, salvation is a FREE Gift from God no matter how much money you give!
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
