“As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 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
If you’ve grown up in the church, you have heard this teaching many times. Sometimes it pops up around Christmas when we are gathering a special offering, or perhaps during a building campaign. Preachers are masters at using Jesus’ words to raise money for the church!
But Jesus’ message here is way more than just talking about what we tithe; it is a condition of the heart. Sure, we should give of our financial gifts to the church to advance the gospel, but the giving that matters most is what comes from the heart and returns to the Father. The rich put in from their abundance of riches—they had an abundance to give. The poor widow gave all she had to live on, and Jesus said she gave more than the others because she sacrificed more.
What we give to the Lord determines our trust, commitment, and devotion to Him. And again, I’m not merely speaking of money; I am talking about our time, our love, our passion. God wants us to commit everything to Him and to His glory. Whether it be serving others, spending time in prayer and Bible reading, going to worship, or loving our neighbor—we are to be like the widow who gave everything she had and trusted God to provide for her needs.
What Jesus is talking about is the ideal. Has anyone ever quite achieved this high level of living and commitment? Perhaps monks who own nothing, who spend all day praying, serving, worshipping, and studying God. But even they can fall into a trap of pride or self-importance over their level of sacrifice. Yet I am sure they are closer to God than me!
The point is—give to the Lord all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength. This is what fulfilling the greatest commandment is all about: love Him completely.
In a day and age where there are so many competing distractions, let’s place our focus upon Christ. He is the author and perfecter of our faith. He is the one who has saved us and wants us to remain steady in our relationship with the Father. Seek Him today. Call out His name. Find yourself loving Him more. And in doing so, you will be like the widow who gave not out of her abundance but out of a poverty of spirit.
“O Lord, you know me and yet you still love me. You allow me to walk with you. You fill me with your Spirit; you cover me with your love. Help me know your path and to walk in it. Give me the ability to be all you want me to be so I might fully enjoy your presence. I love you and trust you, Lord. Thank you for Jesus. I glorify your name. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen