“BEWARE!! …
…”Of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes and who want greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and say long prayers just for show!”…
“Sitting across from the temple treasury, he watched how the crowd dropped money into the treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little. Summoning his disciples, he said to them ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others! For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had – all she had to live on!’” (From Mark 12:38-44 CSB)
WOW! What a contrast!!
The religious elite – the “high and mighty” – HYPOCRITES! …Contrasted with a poor, but spiritually devoted widow – RIGHTEOUS!
Now don’t get me (or the Lord, for that matter) wrong! I know some sincere, authentic, godly “scribe” sorts… Advanced degrees from prestigious theological seminaries, tenured respected “profs,” upper echelon leaders of large religious bodies… They’re not ALL like those the Lord described in these verses! But, believe me, there are OTHERS! Proud, arrogant, self-seeking, HYPOCRITES! … BEWARE!
On the other hand, I can give you the names of some simple, sincere, devoted, selfless, SAINTS – who put the Lord and others first in everything! They don’t seek attention, position or prestige – you’ve probably never heard their name – and they’d empty their purse and pocketbook for a need, they pray fervently for the needs of others, and do anything they could “in Jesus’ name” to sustain and serve those in need! GENUINELY RIGHTEOUS!
I can tell you who I respect and honor! I can tell you who I want to be like! I can tell you who our Lord says will receive “honor and reward” instead of “harsher judgment!
BEWARE! Get it straight – Don’t be fooled… Just say’n!
Coffee With The Lord 