Sacrificial Giving

Luke 21:1-4 (NLT)

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

Reflection

Many years ago, I took an economics class. I remember being told that people don’t work to earn money; they work to obtain the things that money can buy. That always stuck with me because from the moment I heard it, I thought how inaccurate it was! Sure, there are things people need to buy to survive – shelter, food, clothing, etc. And there are things we don’t necessarily need but simply want to buy, just because we desire them – bigger houses, meals at expensive restaurants, the most popular trends in new clothes, etc.

But for some, money simply does not control them. There are many people in this world with extravagantly philanthropic hearts, who pour much of their money into charities that care for people in need. Then there are others, who by no fault of their own, don’t have enough money to meet their basic needs. Yet, they don’t let money, or the lack thereof, control how they live their lives. I like to think our poor widow in today’s scripture passage falls into this category.

Although some people refuse to believe it, there truly are many things money can’t buy. People often foolishly attempt to buy love, respect, stature, even something so coveted as peace of mind. Yet time and time again, their efforts fall short.

We don’t know the whole story about our poor widow, other than she gave sacrificially of all she had. Her life, even in poverty, may have been rich in other ways - loving relationships, respect and stature among her friends and family, and certainly peace of mind in knowing that her God would always provide. When Jesus saw her simple but profound sacrificial act of faith, I believe He blessed her in ways the rich people would never understand as they continued to drop their meager offerings from their substantial earnings into the box. We need to always remember that as we give, God is most concerned about our hearts, motives, and intent.

Action Steps

In the “Biblical Principles of Money” podcast (which is part of the Holy podcast series found on The Tree Church app) Director of Campuses, Mackie McAdam, states that “risking comfort and risking survival” are two very different things. He goes on to state that “the tithe is the obedience; giving beyond is the heart, and the heart beyond obedience is generosity.”

Take a few moments and process these statements. Spend some time in prayer and examine your heart. Ask God to show you ways you can be more generous with your time, talents, and financial resources.  

Prayer
 
Heavenly Father, You are so good to me and so very generous in Your love and grace. Help me to become more like You as I learn the importance of giving generously. I want to give You more of my time, energy, and resources so that I can obediently follow Your calling for my life. Help me to have a heart that desires to give generously of myself. In Jesus’ name, amen.