Daily Devotional

-April 28, 2021-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

-Giving All To Jesus-

“And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, ‘Truly I say to you that this poor widow, has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all her livelihood that she had.”

(Luke 21:1-4).

Today’s text is one of the most remarkable in the Bible. It sharply contrasts giving from the heart verses giving to impress others. Jesus always used daily life events to teach lessons to His disciples. The lesson for us is giving all, not just our money, which is so important, but everything we have belongs to Him and we should give all to Jesus.

As God, Jesus knew what each person was putting into the temple treasury and what was in their hearts. He knew that this particular woman was a widow, how much she had and how much she gave. He also knew how much the others had and what they gave. Rich people often give a lot but they still have more than enough left for themselves and this is the case here. This poor widow gave just two mites, two small Roman copper coins. Jesus said that she gave more than all the others because she gave all her livelihood, thus all she had to live on. She had nothing left. More importantly she gave with a whole heart and trusted God to supply her need. What a great faith she had!

Ideally, there should be no poor widows in Israel. Over and over the OT, God told His people to give to support orphans and widows. God has a special love for them. Obviously from what we read in the gospels, the Pharisees, the chief priests, and scribes cared more for themselves than for God’s work and His people. Jesus sees not only what we give, but what we have left; He sees our motives for giving.

When Paul discussed giving in 2 Corinthians chapters 8-9, he begins by commending the churches in Macedonia as the greatest example of giving among God’s people. They also gave out of their poverty and not only that, but gave themselves first to the Lord and also to Paul and the needy saints. 1 Corinthians 8:1-5 mentions how they gave: in a great trial of affliction, in the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty, according to their ability and beyond their ability, willingly, urgently, and first of themselves to the Lord and to Paul. What an example they were! They excelled at giving to Jesus because they excelled at living for Jesus!

The Lord wants us to be cheerful givers of all we have. From our tithing to our living for the Lord and our serving Him. If one does not give when he has little, he will not give when he has much; if one does not serve the Lord when he is busy working and raising a family, he will not serve when he is retired. God knows our hearts. He knows how we use our time and resources in His service. He sees the priorities of our hearts. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 7:21).

Have a blessed day giving your time, talents, and treasures to the Lord fully and faithfully. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean