What the Widow’s Gift Says about Giving
Guest Writer: Rachel Rupert
It’s a common feeling for many believers to feel “called” to advance the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s as if God is constantly looking for donors to fund his mission; he’s got a goal set and those buckets keep sloshing around dimes and nickels. Pair that with the trend in many churches to do capital campaigns where Pastors reveal a “number” God gave them, and if we’re not careful, it can feel like we’re doing God a favor by giving generously.
I assure you, God needs nothing from us to advance his kingdom.
I assure you that if the universe is held together by his breath, all the riches in the world won’t make a dent in his plans… I think he’s got it.
The Widow’s Gift
Mark 12:41-44 is an interesting passage where Jesus sits and watches people as they were dropping their money into the temple treasury. It says:
“Sitting across from the temple treasury, He watched how the crowd dropped money into the treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums. And a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little. Summoning His disciples, He said to them, “I assure you: This poor widow has put in more than all those giving to the temple treasury. For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she possessed — all she had to live on.””
Though there were many people there, and many who were rich, the woman deserving recognition was the one who gave the smallest gift. This widow, though she was poverty-stricken and familiar with grief - still chose to put God as her priority. Her commitment and devotion extended beyond her circumstances.
Believers today struggle with being devoted to God in all circumstances. When things are going well and life is good, it’s easy to love God and almost feel entitled to his blessings. Perhaps we think of God as an insurance policy: “sign up for Jesus to be your savior so that he will cover all the hardships that life may bring!” Then when life hits hard, we recoil from him, go as far as to blame him for not intervening (I speak from experience here). Maybe we even grit our teeth when the lyrics to worship don’t line up with our “reality.” Our circumstances. Our heart becomes hard when we don’t get answers.
There is something commendable not only about the widow’s contribution but her resolution to bless God even when it cost her everything. It bears a similar resemblance to the unwavering joy in the Lord that Paul shared as he gave his life to the mission of spreading the gospel, even as it led him from beating to beating, cell to cell, and to his eventual execution. In both cases, the financial cost wasn’t the focus as much as the commitment and desire to place God as their first priority. As Jesus said, we must count the cost of following Him (Luke 14:28). These two examples were determined to make the payments.
What about the other gifts?
Were the other gifts dropped in the temple treasury of less importance than the widow’s gift? I don’t believe so. Many of us probably aren’t giving out of intense poverty. We probably have money to spare. Giving out of our surplus isn’t a sin; however, if we aren’t careful, we can lose sight of God as our provider and our devotion can falter.
The greatest gift we can give to God is a heart completely devoted to Him. Whether that is expressed through a financial gift, a life sacrificed for the work of the gospel, or any other form, it’s all he wants.
For Further Reading:
Are You Called to Stewardship Ministry?
The Marks of a Christian Investor
The Greatest Hindrance in Our Faith, According to Jesus
What does the Bible say about Saving
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