Can One Give Too Much?
John Gipson

One day Jesus sat in the temple close to the big golden urn, shaped like a trumpet, where the people dropped in their contributions for the support of the institution. Apparently many people made quite an elaborate ceremony of offering their money, and were anxious to have the public take note of how generous they were. Incidentally, do you think human nature has changed a whole lot since then? -

The observing of another's giving was something that was attended to conveniently. I understand there was a sort of low mezzanine box over against the treasury, where people could sit and watch the donors. For those who enjoy people watching, this was a good place to study character. One day Jesus was there, watching.

Many rich people, dressed in fine clothes, poured in gold.

They were generous people. (I wonder if some of the rich were content with a few pieces of silver?) Undoubtedly, the middle class must have offered silver. And the poor dropped in their coppers. (Do you suppose that from time to time the rich offered coppers, too?) It wouldn't surprise me.

Before long a poor widow came buy. She put in two mites. It was approximately nothing. But it was all the widow had; and when one gives up all, it doesn't have to be much to be everything.

Jesus noted what she did, and turning to a companion, said: “The widow has given much more than any of the rich. They gave some of their abundance; and of her poverty, she gave all”.

Lloyd C. Douglas has observed, "If somebody had been writing the story who did not know Jesus very well, doubtless we would have a nice little sequel to this episode. Jesus would have called her back. He would have recovered from the box her poor little coins, and' handed them back to her, magically transformed into gold, and commanded her to go and live happily on them, for the rest of her days. But Jesus did not call her back. He did nothing to relieve her poverty."

Why didn't Jesus call her back? Why didn't Jesus tell her she didn't have to give her all? Why was Jesus so approving of what she did?

It sure makes a fellow wonder, doesn't it!

If you’re wondering what happened to your bulletin this week, it is the victim of Nancy and the Chambers’ family trying to do what Carl usually handles.

Please forgive the mess - we’ll have to have him show us how he does this someday soon.

The ancient Jews were ordered by God to reserve one day in seven for rest and worship. Could there be a connection between the rising tide of emotional problems today and the decline of regular worship in the assembly?

BE MAKING PLANS !!!

with guest speaker Charles Burch. Brother Burch is currently the preacher at Bellingrath Road church of Christ, in Theodore, Alabama (just outside of Mobile) and was the preacher here at Orange Street during the mid-seventies.
INVITE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

SCHEDULE FOR HOMECOMING
  9:30 am.....Bible Classes for all ages
  10:30 am...AM Worship Service
  12 Noon.....Fellowship Meal in the Annex
  1:15 pm.....Singing
  2:00 pm.....PM Worship Service

NOTE: There will be NO 6:00 PM service on March 28th.