November 3rd

Leviticus 13:1-59, Mark 12:28-44, Proverbs 6:20-29

Sometimes we forget the the Bible is also very practical and offers teaching to people on a number of subjects. The problem is that the practical bits are just not the easiest thing to read at times. It is this that we are in the midst of in Leviticus and tomorrow we learn about cleaning mildew (and no, it does not involve Cillit Bang!) It’s just hard to right much about it!

It is the Gospel that gives us some key lessons today. It is not that long ago that we were reading the ten commandments where the first one was all about loving God and Jesus affirms this command and then talks about loving other people. The challenge comes from both of these commandments. I know that I am guilty at times of putting earthly things before God. Putting God further down my list of priorities when he should actually be right at the top. This involves making time for him, time to read his word and pray, time to worship him and time to serve him. How often do we miss these things from the daily agenda?

The second command falls out of the first. It would be a fair question for me to ask “If I love God with all my heart, what is left for me to love Claire and Samuel?” But it is all tied up with our love for God – when our hearts are tuned in to God, when we put him first, then the next response is that we love other people. Mother Theresa could be a classic example of this, the love that she had for entire swathes of people who came to her for help was all tied up in the fact that her life was devoted to God. Loving God first meant that she loved others and by loving others she was showing her love for God and deepening that relationship.

The second important lesson comes from the other end of the passage and takes us back to yesterday, with the challenge to give things to God. The past week or so has been all about sacrifice and this lady made a huge sacrifice. The rich people wouldn’t even have noticed there gift missing but the widow gave her all. She loved God with everything and so she gave it all.

If you are going to give to God today then perhaps start with your heart and see where God takes you from there.