As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” 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
The Widow’s Offering, though brief, is a significant piece of Scripture that we can learn a lot from. In every society, you can meet men and women who live like the widow – individuals who give, even when it seems they have nothing left to give. They give out of their poverty, when they likely have hardly enough for themselves. Yet, so convicted by the Scripture, it never crosses their minds not to give or help those in need. They will most likely spend the rest of their lives unrecognized by public eye, but in Jesus’ eyes they have found favor for giving.
On the other hand, there are members of society with plenty. They give money freely, without thought, because their donations do not hurt. These individuals are held in high regard in public eye and may even have buildings dedicated to them, highways named after them, etc. Yet, despite their significant monetary gifts, Jesus reiterated that the widow’s gift is more significant.
When it comes to giving, the significance does not lie the in the amount of money, or time, or whatever else that you are giving. Instead, the significance lies in what your gifts reveal about the true nature of your heart. Giving sacrificially, rather than out of surplus, reveals how much we trust God to provide for us. The widow, all alone, had full trust in God that he would continually provide for her day after day. So next time you decide to give or not give, take a moment to remember the widow. Remember that the Lord will provide for you, and use your giving as an opportunity to grow your trust in your Father above.
Prayer:
Father,
In times of plenty and times of want, please help mold my heart to become more like that of the widow from Scripture. Help me to give all that I have to further your Kingdom and help those around me, even when it comes at personal cost. Reveal to me the nature of my heart when it comes to my giving.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
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