Give from a Grateful Heart

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised fro the dead. Hear a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha serviced, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet. . .” (John 12:1-3)

       Passage: Luke 7:36-47

The gift Martha gave to Jesus of pouring expensive perfume over his feet and wiping them with her hair was the second time this had happened to Jesus. The first is recorded in Luke 7 when a Pharisee had Jesus over for dinner and a woman of ill-repute came and did what Mary did, but in her case, she shed tears which washed his feet as well. One key commonality in both gifts was that the giver felt a deep sense of gratitude to Jesus.

Kingdom giving is giving that comes from a grateful heart. The host of the dinner in John 12 was a man Jesus had healed of leprosy. Martha gave in her service and Lazarus as totally fine with Mary’s actions out of gratitude for what Jesus did for him. Look at what God has done for you. Salvation by grace through faith. You didn’t earn your salvation. You can’t lose it. Be grateful. Look at all His provision for you and His blessings to you. Be grateful. Out of that gratitude, say thank-you through being a Kingdom giver.        

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)