Giving All To Jesus

-April 28, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“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 to God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

(Luke 21:3-4).

Jesus taught many parables, but this not one of them. The events surrounding this poor widow happened in right front of their eyes. Our Savior used what this dear lady did to teach His disciples a valuable lesson on dedication and sacrificial giving.

This widow, like many in the Bible is unnamed. God has a special love for widows and orphans. We can think of many widows, such as Naomi, Ruth, Anna the prophetess, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and many unnamed ones such as the widow of Zarephath who fed Elijah, the widow of Nain, and others.

Psalm 68:5 says, “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.” Many widows, like the one in our text today, were poor. God constantly reminded the Israelites to care for the widows and the fatherless.

One day Jesus and His disciples were sitting near the temple treasury. Jesus took note of each person that gave: some rich, others not as much. Our Lord knew what each one put in and how much money they had left. He also recognized their motives. All the others gave out of their abundance, but this poor widow out of her poverty.

She put in just two mites, two very small copper coins. They might be equivalent to a penny each. Most people would ridicule her for such a small offering, but she put in all she had to live on. Which one of us would give their entire monthly check to the Lord? Jesus commended her for her heart, not just her gift.

Jesus doesn’t require us to give all our money, though it all belongs to Him; but He does require our whole heart. As believers we should give from the heart willingly. We should tithe, which is 10%. It is the minimum we should give. I am the treasurer at our church and I collect the offerings, and deposit them into our account to pay our bills and support the ministry of the church. We have so many faithful and generous givers. Giving is part of our worship.

May the Lord help us to give of from ourselves first then our money. Have a blessed day worshipping and giving to the Lord. Stay safe and healthy.

God sees not only how much we give, but how much we have left. We can’t out give the Lord.

Dean