“As He looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. I tell you the truth, He said, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she in her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4 (NIV)
This poor widow put in the best that she had to offer. The two coins that she put into the temple treasury were worth far more to her than the gifts to the rich. Both were giving, but while the rich gave a percentage from their surplus, the widow gave it all – she actually gave 100%: her coins and herself.
She was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, for she “put in all she had to live on”. The gifts of the rich did not amount to a real sacrifice, it did not hurt. They may have been giving for purely selfish reasons. The widow’s coins, on the other hand, were of more value since it is the cost to the giver that counts.
God saw that the widow’s heart was in the right place. He saw that her intentions were sincere. Her offering, coming from a spirit of humility, love and selflessness made her sacrifice invaluable.
Are you willing to give all? To sacrifice all that you have and are to Christ? You must be prepared to give up everything to God if He asks. Jesus gave up His life for us because that is what God desired. Jesus prayed, “…yet not My will but Yours” (Luke 22:42).
Like the poor widow, Christ Jesus gave everything He had to live on at the cross. He left the glory of heaven, humbled Himself and laid down His life for a greater cause (see Philippians 2:6-8). You must be willing to give up your comforts and your pleasures and put all you have at the Lord’s disposal.
Beloved, no matter how insignificant your offering may seem, understand that God will give your gift worth. He will do whatever He desires with it and with you.
Remember, your sacrifice is giving back to God what He has already given to you and God gives without measure.
God saw that the widow’s heart was in the right place. He saw that her intentions were sincere. Her offering, coming from a spirit of humility, love and selflessness made her sacrifice invaluable.
Are you willing to give all? To sacrifice all that you have and are to Christ? You must be prepared to give up everything to God if He asks. Jesus gave up His life for us because that is what God desired. Jesus prayed, “…yet not My will but Yours” (Luke 22:42).
Like the poor widow, Christ Jesus gave everything He had to live on at the cross. He left the glory of heaven, humbled Himself and laid down His life for a greater cause (see Philippians 2:6-8). You must be willing to give up your comforts and your pleasures and put all you have at the Lord’s disposal.
Beloved, no matter how insignificant your offering may seem, understand that God will give your gift worth. He will do whatever He desires with it and with you.
Remember, your sacrifice is giving back to God what He has already given to you and God gives without measure.
Amen †
Are you willing to give all? ©2013 Shelley Johnson 4-Mar-2013
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