MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 12:35-44
2 Corinthians 10
Psalm 105
1 Samuel 24–25

Mark 12:35-44
At the end of last week, we looked at Paul’s challenge in 2 Corinthians 9 to give generously. The truth is, though, generosity looks different for everyone. Your generosity isn’t going to look like my generosity. The story of the poor widow in Mark 12 makes this clear. She was generous in her giving, but she didn’t give much. Similarly, many of the rich people were not generous in their giving, even though they gave a lot. How much we give is not nearly as important as howwe give. Generosity isn’t about amount; it’s about attitude.

TUESDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 13:1-13
2 Corinthians 11:1-15
Psalm 106:1-23
1 Samuel 26–28

Psalm 106:1-23
What if what we want isn’t what’s best for us? What if the thing we’re praying for isn’t in our best interest in the long run? In Psalm 106:15, the psalmist recalled a time when the Israelites in the desert begged God for food and water (see Numbers 11:18-33 for the full story). God eventually gave them what they wanted, but it wasn’t what they most needed, and it came with a high price tag. If God isn’t giving you what you’re asking of him today, maybe there’s a reason. He knows things you don’t know. Trust him. 

WEDNESDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 13:14-31
2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Psalm 106:24-48
1 Samuel 29–31

2 Corinthians 11:16-33
What are you most proud of? Many of us would list things like career accomplishments, parenting wins, or (if we’re feeling extra spiritual) religious accomplishments. That’s why Paul’s list in 2 Corinthians 11 can come as a shock to us. His list could have included the letters he wrote to churches, the converts he made, or the many things he did for the first century church. But it didn’t. Paul’s list of accomplishments was comprised primarily of suffering. He was most proud of the things that broke him. Maybe that’s because God showed up the most when Paul was weakest.

THURSDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 13:32-37
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Psalm 107
2 Samuel 1–2

2 Samuel 1–2
Saul had hunted David down. He had tried to kill him numerous times. He had forced him away from his home and away from everyone and everything he held dear. Nonetheless, when Saul died, David wasn’t happy. He didn’t seem relieved. Rather, he was grieved. David could have hated Saul, but he chose not to. He chose to remember the positives about the king instead. David was known as a man after God’s own heart. This text shows us why. He chose to forgive, just as Jesus would have, when hatred would have been easier.

FRIDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 14:1-11
2 Corinthians 12:11-21
Psalm 108
2 Samuel 3–4

Mark 14:1-11
Extravagance isn’t always a bad thing. We tend to think it is, but in some cases, it’s not. Take a look at the woman in Mark 14 who poured perfume on Jesus. She was extravagant in her giving. Some even considered her actions wasteful. Jesus, however, praised her. “She has done a beautiful thing to me,” he said in verse 6. Extravagance isn’t bad when it’s directed at Jesus. This week, if you’re going to be extravagant, be extravagant in your giving. Be extravagant in your serving. Be extravagant in your love. Be extravagant in the right things.

SATURDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 14:12-31
2 Corinthians 13
Psalm 109
2 Samuel 5–7

2 Samuel 5–7
When is the last time you really didn’t care about what others thought about you? Not in an inconsiderate way, but in an “I know who I am and whose I am so I’m not going to worry about the opinions of other people” kind of way. David had this attitude when the ark of the Lord returned to Jerusalem. He wasn’t worried about the opinions of other people. His only concern was God. Don’t let other people keep you from doing what God would be pleased with. His opinion is the one that matters most.