Mark 12:41-44 (NIV): Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything–all she had to live on.”
Jesus stunned His disciples when he told them that this widow, who had put two lepta (small copper coins worth a few cents, often derisively called “thin ones”) into the offering, had given more than the many wealthy people who had put in gold or silver coins worth many times what she had given. It made no sense. How can a two-cent offering be more than a hundred-dollar offering?
But Jesus was talking in proportional, not absolute, terms. This widow, out of her gratefulness to God, had given ALL of her money. Those two coins, all that she had, which could have bought her a little food to sustain her, were instead given to God. That giving of her all was not foolish or overzealous as some might think. Instead, it showed great faith. She gave her all to God, and then relied on God to provide for her true needs.
The rich, on the other hand, had given out of their abundance only a miniscule portion of what God had given them. Out of the thousand silver coins that God had put into their hands, they give back one to Him, and did it in such a way that their gift would be seen and appreciated by those standing nearby (cf. Matthew 6:1-4). After all, there were many people for whom a silver coin represented a whole day’s wages – an impressive sum. When they saw someone give that kind of contribution, they were awed by their assumed generosity.
But, in reality, those rich people were giving God their spare change, what they could easily afford. As good as it looked on the outside, it betrayed a lack of real devotion to God on the inside.
God never gives His people “spare change” of love, or grace, or any other blessing. Instead, He always stands ready to pour into our lives “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over…” (Luke 6:38). God did not even withhold His one and only Son from us, but gave Him completely so that we might be saved – saved from death, saved from an eternity in hell, saved from the power of sin. And it is only reasonable in view of such giving on God’s part, for us to give all of ourselves back to Him – all of our energy, all of our resources, all of our time. Not just what we can reasonably or comfortably spare, but ALL. And then we, like that widow, can rely on God to provide for all of our true needs.
Father, it is so easy for us to think about our giving in absolute terms: giving a check for $1000 is giving a lot. Giving $100 is respectable. Giving $10 is less than we probably should give. But You didn’t give us a “respectable amount,” and we don’t owe you “a lot.” You gave Your all, every bit of it. And, because of all that You have given for us to redeem us, we owe You all of ourselves – all we have, all we are, all that we can possibly be. Lord, drive this truth deep into our hearts so that we, like that widow, will willingly, joyfully give You all that You deserve, not holding anything back. Then help us to sincerely trust You to provide all that we truly need. Amen.