Host: Ron House
Sponsor: Start2Finish
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
How does God judge the things that we give to Him, and the way in which we give those things? This observation made by Jesus as He watches people put money into the treasury gives us some insight into the answers to those questions. First of all, Jesus does not judge or condemn the giving of those who gave out of their abundance. They had been greatly blessed with many things and gave a portion of those things that the gospel writer describes as “much.” But because of their wealth, their giving was not necessarily sacrificial. In contrast, the poor widow that Jesus points out had given “her whole livelihood.” In a great act of devotion and faith, she had given to God literally all that she had from a monetary standpoint. Though it was a minuscule amount of money, Jesus commends her as giving more than all others who had given to the treasury. This text reiterates the point that it is our hearts that God desires more than anything else. As we give to God of our time, talents, or things, whether we can give much or only a little, He desires for us to give with a whole-hearted devotion and faith.
Why is God concerned with the heart with which we give?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
