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Mark 12:41-44

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 few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, 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 and His disciples were sitting in a strategic spot. From their vantage point, they could see people putting money into the temple treasury. Some rich people were in the crowd and threw in large amounts. In contrast, a poor widow put in a few small coins. Jesus responded to her action by making an astounding claim, “this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.”

In this story, Jesus teaches us an important lesson: Giving is not about amounts; it is about our attitude. The rich people gave out of their wealth. Their giving required no sacrifice. On the other hand, the poor widow “put in everything.” She had no husband to provide for her, no company pension, no life insurance, no retirement plan. She gave “all she had to live on.” Her worship involved extreme sacrifice and radical trust.

So…here are some questions to assess your giving. Do you give only out of your wealth? Do you give only what’s left over? Do you give sacrificially? Do you give as an act of worship? Do you give as an act of daily dependence? Is there anything extreme or radical in your giving? Remember, giving is not about the amount you give; it is about the attitude in which you give it. God does not need your money. God wants your heart.

Father, check my heart in this area and then show my heart to me. Forgive me for trying to impress You with amounts. You don’t need my money. You want my heart. Help me give as an act of worship and dependence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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