Week 43 - Day 2

Luke 19-21; Proverbs 20

*Click here to read these passages:

Luke 19-21 YouVersion(NIV)

Proverbs 20 YouVersion(NIV)

Two stories stood out for me in today’s reading:

~The Parable of the Ten Minas ~ The master gave ten of his servants ten minas (A mina was about 3 months’ wages) telling them to “put the money to work until I come back.”  One servant earned ten more with his mina, so the master put him in charge of ten cities.  One servant earned five more and so was put in charge of five cities.  Another servant had been afraid to risk any of the money so he hid it away until the master came back.  The master said, “Take his mina away and give it to the one who has ten.” 

“He said, ‘That’s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of.  Play it safe and end up holding the bag.” (Luke 19:26 MSG)

~The Widow’s Offering~ Jesus saw the rich putting in offerings at the temple, and He saw a poor widow put in two very small coins.  Jesus said, “The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today.  All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!” (Luke 21: 3-4 MSG

It is so much easier to play it safe.  It is so tempting to hold on to the way things are or the things we have and not want anything to change.  It is not always easy to let go of fear and comfort.  But over and over Jesus is teaching that when we give our life to follow Him, when we risk it all and sacrifice, we’ll be rewarded.

There is a song about this I’ve been listening to recently—“Called me Higher” by All Sons and Daughters.

I could just sit … I could just sit and wait for all Your goodness,

Hope to feel Your presence.

I could just stay … I could just stay right where I am and hope to feel You,

Hope to feel something again.

And I could hold on … I could hold on to who I am and never let You

 Change me from the inside.

And I could be safe … I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home,

Never let these walls down.

But You have called me higher.  You have called me deeper,

And I’ll go where You will lead me Lord.

And I will be Yours.  I will be Yours for all my life

So let Your mercy light the path before me

Cause You have called me higher.  You have called me deeper,

 And I’ll go where You will lead me Lord … where you lead me.