And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and began watching how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large amounts. And a poor widow came and put in two lepta coins, which amount to a quadrans. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”
One of the hardest parts of giving is battling the desire or fear that leads us to want to keep and provide for ourselves. When we give a little bit, we feel safer because there is less risk on our part. This was the rich people in this account. They had large amounts they could give impressively and with no risk. They could preserve their wealth and their image. But the widow’s giving was risky and sacrificial. She had little status and little money, yet she gave it to God. Jesus took the moment to show His disciples there was more to this moment than what met the eye. This was about more than one person giving a little and another person giving a lot. Each had a different motive.
When we consider giving today, we still struggle with what to give compared with what to keep. Matthew 6:31-33 says, “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.” Jesus’s message to the disciples was to give with a heart seeking God’s kingdom first and trusting His provision for all the things in between. This does not make sense by human logic but in God’s economy a life seeking Him is always worth it.
- When have you struggled with giving? What was hard about it?
- How would seeking God’s kingdom first change how you give?
- Pray and ask God to guide you and show you where to give.
