Giving My All

Mk. 12:41-44

"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."

Jesus was observing those who were putting money in the offering box, but His observations went far beyond their external actions because He was able to see their hearts. The rich put in their large sums, but a poor widow came and put in two small coins, a penny worth. Was Jesus more impressed with the rich or the poor widow? As Jesus told this story to His disciples, He said that the widow put it more than anyone else. How could that be? The amount of her offering was hardly anything compared to the rich. From a human point of view, this assessment did not make sense.  

Jesus told them that they [the rich]  contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty had put in everything she had, all she had to live on. Jesus was more concerned with the quality of the offering than the quantity, with the sacrificial quality. When the poor widow gave her all, her choice demanded faith. Once she had given all , she had nothing left. How would she live? Where would she get food? Her only recourse was to trust God since she had eliminated her human supports, but the rich still had plenty of their money to take care of themselves. In fact, what they gave did not even put a dent in their riches. The principle Jesus was teaching was an offering to the Lord must come out of sacrifice, and giving all brings great blessing and growth in grace. How hard this is! How it takes the giver out of the comfort zone! Perhaps Jesus is saying that great blessing comes when we are out of our comfort zone. How often do I go out of my comfort zone? How often do I make a decision that leaves me nowhere to go but to trust in God?

Father,

Teach me to give to You sacrificially. Take away my fear and build my trust.

In Jesus name,

Amen