“I think we’ve given enough,” I announce to Brad early Sunday morning as I hold my church’s stewardship campaign brochure open in my hand. I rattle off the charities we’ve supported and the donations we’ve made to the church in the last year. It feels significant, impressive even. I give myself a smug little pat on the back, satisfied with my generosity. I feel Jesus-y, and it feels good.
…until I read this week’s lesson about the widow who drops two small coins – everything she has – into the offering plate.
“I tell you the truth,” says Jesus, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” (Luke 21:3-4).
We don’t particularly like this story, do we? I know I don’t, because every time I read it, I see myself in the rich giver. My giving smacks of self-righteousness. My giving allows me to pretend I am sacrificing, when in fact, I am simply skimming off the top.
Jesus sees the difference between the substantial offerings of the rich people versus the seemingly paltry offering made by the widow. The wealthy gave from their surplus – their donation, though outwardly generous, didn’t really impact their standard of living or their bottom line, nor did it seem to come from the heart. The widow, on the other hand, made a true sacrifice. Though her gift seemed small, those two coins were everything she had. Those two coins were the most generous gift she could possibly make, and she gave it all.
The rich skimmed the surface of their surplus, even though they had plenty. The widow dug deep and gave everything, even though she lacked.
I don’t think Jesus necessarily instructs us to give every penny and our last dollar to the church. Rather, I think he asks us to look at our motives for and methods of giving.
When we give, do we consider God first, and then ourselves?
When we give, do we offer God our leftovers, or do we give him our first fruits?
When we give, are we doing so to feel good about ourselves and our own Jesus-y generosity?
Are we giving because we want to, or because we feel that we have to?
Consider again the gifts made by the wealthy and the widow in this story.
One donor fed his own ego. The other donor fed the Lord.
And then ask yourself this: what kind of giver am I?
Questions for Reflection:
Let’s get honest: who are you in this story, the rich giver, contributing from your surplus, or more like the widow, giving generously from the heart? And if you’re like me, feeling uncomfortably more like the rich giver, what’s one way you can move a little closer toward the kind of generosity the widow displays?
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Since not working outside the home for several years now, and depending on my sweet husband to provide, I’ve left these decisions up to him. I can trust that he’s giving to God what his heart tells him to.
As for me, when I was working and had my own budget, I must admit, I always gave what I thought I could to the church, gave to those in need, and to charities. Ironically, the year I lost my job (long story), I finally had committed to tithing to my church and was doing so until I could no longer.
This story is a powerful lesson in where we place our priorities. Does God get the first fruits from our heart, or do we simply hand Him the leftovers? I know what I need to do!
Thanks, Michelle, as always, for the inspiration! Blessings!
Given the fact that the widow gave of her all, we must stand back and realize that with all our giving, we do not measure up to her. I am glad God is the Judge and he honors what I give with love and in return he always gives back to me. Thank you for hosting your lovely site.
I can measure my stress level in my transition back to the States by how worried I am about money. Which is understandable except that when I think of people like this widow … It is absurd!!! 🙂
Because big picture I am fine!!! I forget that and live little picture view
This story (and your post) are very convicting!
Quote: “I don’t think Jesus necessarily instructs us to give every penny and our last dollar to the church. Rather, I think he asks us to look at our motives for and methods of giving.”
Amen
I believe the widow’s giving also demonstrated her trust in the Lord, i.e. she trusted God enough to be willing to let go off what little she had left believing that He would supply her needs.
Yeah, motives and methods are a big deal in the overall picture. I’ve learned this the hard way, but I’ve also learned not to feel so guilty for not being able to contribute to everything. I try to find places/people/charities/programs where my heart is most touched for.
Thanks Michelle for the post and link-up
Blessings, Michelle! Been absent a while from linking up with many changes and transitions – not the least of which is my migration to WordPress and all the new skill sets I’ve needed to acquire to be able to function again. I love your new blog switch look, too! I’ll be posting more devotional content as the Lord has been re-aligning my career and work life. Your post today is smacking me between the eyes as part of our life and work changes has thrust me out into the realms of super-duper entrepreneurial with only the Lord to guide and provide. How faithful He has been as I’ve moved forward in baby steps. He is worthy of our all in all. Blessings this Thanksgiving week!
Joy!
Kathy
I think a lot about the widow’s mite story, and wonder what it would mean to give everything I had. How would our lives be different if we trusted Him with everything? When you are all in, He is all God to you, and that is truly what I desire. Letting Him be my only God and nothing else. So often we do hold back portions because we are hoping for those things to satisfy. Thanks for these thoughtful words today.
OUCH, Michelle. I have been very convicted by this post – in a good, but ouch-y, way. Yes, I tend to be a surplus-giver. Generous, yes. But maybe not in a way that hurts?
Pondering this as I enter Thanksgiving week – and as I take a good look around at all the blessings I’ve been given by The Giver.
GOD BLESS!
There are only two times I’ve given sacrificially. In both cases, it wasn’t about the person in need or the organization but about me.
wow I came back to this post to reread it and when that happens I’ve learned to pay attention = God is telling me something. I all too often give out of my surplus. such a convicting story. One I need to ponder and journal more about. Thanks for feeding my spirit tonight, Michelle.
You know I am loving this.
Thankful for you, MD. Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful.
You can’t outgive God! He will always reward sacrificial giving, if not monetarily, then spiritually; if not in this world, than in the next. Thanks for the great post & for hosting & God bless!