As He looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," He said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:1-4

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.

In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour



The evangelist Juan Romero once said, "We can never outgive God, because He always gives us more than we can give back."

An example of this happened to twin brothers Javier and Francisco. They worked several jobs in order to earn money to buy sneakers and backpacks. They wanted to be the envy of their classmates by having and being the most fashionable.

The day finally arrived when they had enough money, and the brothers were excited to go shopping.

That same day, a new boy joined their class at school. He came from a very poor family and didn't have a notebook or pen. Javier and Francisco took a new look at their expensive items they intended to purchase and came up with a very generous plan instead.

They decided not to get the highest quality shoes and backpacks but to spend less and to give the remaining money to the new boy.

Later that day, as they sat in the office of Lutheran Hour Ministries-Panama, we shared the scriptural story of the widow woman who gave God everything she had. The Savior was favorably comparing her faith and her faithfulness with others, who gave only from their leftovers.

After thinking about it, the twins decided to buy the best backpack they could find for the new boy.

It was a sacrifice for them.

However, something surprising happened. The boys received a call from a professor they had worked for the summer before. He had some money for them. So they were still able to buy backpacks for themselves.

Now I can't always promise the Lord will always do that kind of thing.

I can say that we can never outgive the Lord whose gracious generosity included the life of His Son gifted to be our Savior and Redeemer.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, when I look at the cross and see the sacrifice of my Savior, I am forced to acknowledge both my sin and the depth of Your love. May I, in whatever way will glorify You, express my gratitude. In the Redeemer's Name. Amen.

Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Porfirio Franco, who has collaborated with our Panama ministry office since 1996. He works with Project JOEL and coordinates and integrates the Lutheran Hour Ministries' religious program directed against the use and abuse of drugs amongst youth.


To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 14    Mark 8:1-21

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