If you’re looking for a daily devotional that will get you into the text of Scripture, that’s not too long but not too shallow, I’d highly recommend R C Sproul’s Saint Andrew’s Expositional Commentaries. I’ve been going through his volume on Mark’s Gospel and loving it. I learn something new just about every day. Here’s an example of the little bite-size packages of theology you’ll find in every chapter (the sub-headings are mine).
“If we look at the words for “poverty” or “the poor” in the Old Testament, we see that there are four distinct types of people who are poor.
Poor because of Sin
It is true that the first category is those who are poor because they are lazy. They are poor because they will not work and are irresponsible. The Old Testament looks on these people with disfavor and judgment. Likewise, in the New Testament, it is these of whom Paul speaks when he writes, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thess. 3:10).Poor because of Disaster
In the second category are those who are poor because of calamity, illness, natural disasters that ruined their crops, and other events beyond their control. These people receive the compassion of God, and in His law He declares that those who are better off should make provision for these who are poor through no fault of their own.Poor because of Oppression
In the third category are those people who are poor as a direct result of the exploitation of the rich and the powerful. In the Old Testament, the rich and powerful were usually not merchants but rulers and other government officials, such as the pharaoh in Egypt or King Ahab in Israel. These poor people have God as their defender, for He refuses to tolerate the exploitation of the weak by the strong. The exodus of Israel from Egypt was an example of God coming to the aid of those who were exploited as slaves. As believers, we, too, must be defenders of those who face exploitation. James tells us, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (1:27).Poor for the sake of the Kingdom
In the fourth category are those who are poor for righteousness’ sake; that is, they willingly embrace poverty that they might devote themselves to spiritual things and not be distracted by the pursuit of wealth.”
Mark by R. C. Sproul (Saint Andrew’s Expositional Commentary) (pp. 258-259). Reformation Trust Publishing.