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 today's reading is.

From the Gospel of Luke 20:45 21:4 with everybody listening, Jesus spoke to his disciples.

Watch out for the religion scholars.

They love to walk around in academic gowns, praying in the radiance of public flattery, bask in prominent positions, sit at the head table at every church function.

And all the time they're exploiting the weak and helpless.

The longer their prayers, the worse they get.

But they'll pay for it in the end.

Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate.

He saw a poor widow put in.

Two pennies and he said, the plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today.

All these others made offerings that they will never miss.

She, she gave extravagantly of what she could afford and she gave her all.

Wow, a great reading from the scriptures.

Let's talk about when religious performance meets genuine faith.

Let's talk about this actually, in terms of some points to ponder about things that we can learn from this passage here about religious performance.

The first one is that performance is a trap.

Jesus calls out these religious scholars who are essentially putting on a show.

You know, after 33 years of marriage and raising three kids, I've learned that authenticity beats performance every day.

It's like when I'm working with cancer impacted patients and families on my podcast, Cancer Comedy.

They don't need impressive words.

They need genuine presence and care.

Jesus is criticizing a system where religious leaders were more concerned with their their appearance than with serving others.

Second point to ponder is the power and the privilege.

Here's where it gets really interesting from a progressive perspective.

Jesus isn't just criticizing individual behavior.

He's calling out systematic exploitation.

These religious leaders were exploiting the weak and helpless while maintaining a veneer of respectability.

It's like watching a game.

I like to watch my pacers in fever play.

Sometimes one team seems to have all the advantages or it tries to bend the rules.

Jesus is saying, hey, check your privilege.

That's not what this is all about.

The third thing is about redefining generosity.

The widow's story isn't just about giving money.

It's about challenging our entire understanding of value and sacrifice.

When Jesus points out that she gave.

Her all, he's not praising the fact.

That she was forced into such a position.

He's critiquing a system that would require such a sacrifice from the poor, while the wealthy gave only from their excess.

Here's your action step.

A challenge to examine your own relationship with privilege and generosity.

Instead of giving from excess, find one way to advocate for a systematic change that would make extreme sacrifice unnecessary.

Maybe it's supporting organizations working for economic justice or speaking up against policies that are a burden to the poor.

Remember, like my granddaughters often remind me through their innocent wisdom, sharing isn't just about giving things away.

It's about making sure everyone has enough to begin with.

We'll have a closing prayer here in just a minute.

I want you to know we have a great resource for you for your own individual Bible study.

It's the ABC123 Bible Study Method.

Pick it up at our website, voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray.

Oh God, you, loving God, help us see through the performances we put on, the ones we witness around us.

Give us courage to be authentic in our faith and generous with our whole selves, not just our excess.

When we're tempted to seek approval through outward shows of piety, remind us of the widow's quiet dignity.

Guide us in working toward a world where no one has to give their last penny to survive.

Help us to recognize and use our privileges to lift others up rather than elevate ourselves in a spirit of true compassion and justice.

We pray.

Amen.

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.

Sa.