Mark 12:41-44
“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.” NIV
It is easy for us to give out of abundance ~ Is it not? Jesus watched closely as the crowd of people dropped their coins into the temple treasury. I imagine Him watching, not to see how much they deposited, but to see into their hearts as they contributed. One by one they passed, confidently, as they threw their coins into the chest (see 2 Kings 12:9). As Jesus watched, a poor widow woman passed by. As she passed, she very quickly and quietly dropped two small coins into the chest. To everyone else, this woman passed by unnoticed. But her presence, and heart, did not escape Jesus. Her faithful, mighty contribution touched Him. Jesus praises her act to his Disciples as giving more than all the others. (see also Luke 21:1-4)
I wonder, did she hesitate at all to give what she gave? Did she question, how will I eat or how will I live? Was this the first time she gave all that she had, or had she done this many times before? Was she a little embarrassed or intimidated to place, what others might think, so little an offering? One thing is for sure, this woman not only gave her money, she gave her need for daily bread, in faith, believing that her own need would be supplied.
In most churches, there is a great emphasis placed on tithing, that 10% we are all supposed to give, that 10% out of the abundance of our wealth. I believe that if we would all search our souls, that which we give from the abundance of our hearts would far out-give the abundance of our wealth. There are tremendous numbers of tummys that need to be filled with life sustaining food. There are tremendous numbers of children who need to be cared for, fostered, and adopted. There are tremendous numbers of homeless men, woman, children and families who need homes. There are tremendous numbers of missionaries who need to be cared for spiritually, physically and mentally. And, there are those who need the Word placed in their hands and in their hearts. I believe with all my heart that the Lord wants and requires us to invest in people. There is much work to be done (spiritually, physically, mentally and financially) until the Lord comes to claim us for eternity.
Thoughts and Questions to Ponder
Think about the faith of The Poor Widow ~ A Mighty Contributor, who gave all that she had, out of her poverty. What will you contribute to the tremendous needs of God’s kingdom, in faith, from the abundance of your heart?
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Jesus watches us to see not how much we give, but from where we give and our motives for giving. Remember, Jesus is interested in the condition of our hearts in all that we do. Our faith should create in us hearts to give even when we feel we have none to give financially, materially, of our time or our talents. There are times when we may feel we are unworthy, not good enough, not talented enough or not wealthy enough to offer anything to the Lord or the work of The Kingdom. Search your heart on a daily basis. The Lord will provide for and equip you for every good work that He wants you to do, including giving financially. Remember, every penny counts in the eyes of Jesus. Is there something the Lord wants you to do, or is there somewhere to give out of the abundance of your heart? God and His Scripture equips us for every good work, including giving financially. He wants us to share what He has given to us (see 2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:21 and 3:16-17)
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