Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.

This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.

In a bit I will read the New Testament lesson selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.

The reading is understandable.

I use the message version relatable.

Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.

We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.

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Here's today's reading and so the the reading today is from the Gospel of.

Mark 12:41 44 Reading from the message Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection.

Many of the rich were making large contributions.

One poor widow came up and put in two small coins, a measly 2 cents.

And Jesus called his disciples over and said, the truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together.

All the others gave what they never miss.

She gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford.

She gave her all.

A short but powerful lesson here in this scripture that we read today about the radical economics of love.

My name is Dr. Brad Miller and just want you to know that we are looking at this fascinating story here from Mark that is a challenging story that about understanding things like giving and value and what really matters and extravagance and sacrifice.

I've learned a few things in my life.

My 43 years of ministry raised, being married for 34 years, raising three adult children, a couple grandchildren.

Lots of things I've done.

One of the more powerful learning experiences I've had was getting cancer a few years ago and then dealing with cancer survivors and support groups and with my cancer and comedy podcast.

And I've learned that sometimes small gestures make the most profound impact.

It might be a good word or a card or a Facebook post that make a profound impact.

They do.

Let's talk about redefining value here.

Let's talk about three points to ponder about this passage that may be helpful to you.

The first one is about redefining value.

Jesus flips the script here about what giving more means.

It's not just about the amount that you give.

It's about the heart behind it.

This reminds me of my three kids, watching my three kids grow up and some of the most special things I ever have for my kids and my grandkids are, you know, like the handmade cards and things they made and they gave to me from school or birthday things.

I still have little trinkets that my kids made growing up and they meant more than any kind of expensive gift that they could give.

It's those things that matter.

It's about effort.

It's about thought.

It's about thoughtfulness.

What is true value?

There's also another point to ponder here.

We might call the economics of enough the wealth they gave from excess, stuff that they would never miss.

34 years of marriage my wife and I have learned that true generosity often means stepping out of our comfort zone to do what is uncomfortable in serving others or serving one another.

That's where true value comes into play.

And and the widow's gift here challenges our modern obsession with accumulation and having enough before we can help others.

Here's another point to ponder.

It's about visibility and values.

Jesus specifically sits and watches this scene unfold.

He makes visible what others overlook and our progressive understanding.

This isn't just about church authority offerings.

It's about seeing and valuing those whom society often renders invisible.

Like when my wife and I hike in nature trails, we often notice sometimes flowers or small things or really small things along the trail which are really beautiful if you take the time to really look at it.

Here's your action step.

Practice the widow's might awareness.

That is, look for those who give generously from limited resources.

Not just money, but time and energy care ideas.

Maybe it's the tired parent volunteering at school, the minimum wage worker sharing their lunch, or the elderly neighbor who makes time just to listen, acknowledge them, celebrate them, and better yet, find ways to be like them and find ways to support and amplify their giving.

We're going to pray here in just a minute, but I want you to know that we have a resource for you called the ABC 123 Bible Study Guide.

You can pick it up at our website, voiceofgoddaily.com let's have our prayer.

Oh God, you're the divine source of all of everything.

God, help us to see with new eyes today and challenge our assumptions about what makes a gift valuable.

Give us courage to give not just from our excess, but from our essence.

Help us notice and honor those who generous hearts often go unseen.

Remind us that in your economy love outweighs luxury and sacrifice speaks louder than surplus.

Guide us to create a world where everyone's gifts are valued, where no one is invisible, and where generosity flows from love rather than from obligation.

My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.

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Thanks much.

My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.

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Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.