Read: Mark 12:28-44
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.”
Mark 12:43-44
Jesus cares more about how I give than about what I give.
A likely weary Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched as people put money into the treasury. Having endured a storm of questions from those who were out to oppose Him, the widow and her giving must have been such a refreshing sight.
As He sat opposite the treasury, Jesus noticed the attitude of those giving rather than what most of us would notice – what people were giving. As many rich people came along, perhaps making some kind of display to call attention to what they were giving, Jesus noticed the humble two mites of the poor widow. Now a mite, which in old English comes from “crumb” or “very small morsel” was a tiny thing. A mite was a very small amount of money, probably just about a dollar, as scholars say.
The beauty of the widow’s giving was not just that she gave out of her little, but that she gave her all! If she had kept one of her two mites for herself, no one would have blamed her. The poor widow gave all that she had! While most others gave out of their abundance, this poor widow in her poverty gave all that she had. She didn’t just give out of her little, she gave with staggering generosity!
Jesus here calls attention to the fact that in God’s economy, the spirit of the giving determines the value of the gift. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). David refused to give to God that which cost me nothing (2 Samuel 24:24). God does not need your money or mine. It is our privilege to give to Him. We give because it is good for us, not because it is good for Him.
Our God knows way more than what we give, He knows our hearts and thoughts (Psalm 139:2). God knows everything about us. God knows not just the details of our lives, He knows our thoughts, and He knows our words before we speak them. There is nothing of us that is hidden from the all-knowing God. “Divine knowledge is perfect since not a single word is unknown, nay, not even an unspoken word, and each one is together or wholly known.” (Spurgeon). And this God is interested in our heart attitude, He cares about my heart and my attitude.
The widow’s giving was spectacular not because of what she gave, but how she gave. What would the Lord see in your giving and mine?
What motivates my giving? Does it come from a heart of worship? Am I willing to give sacrificially, even if it means giving out of my need? Do I give with a cheerful and generous spirit, or begrudgingly or out of obligation? Am I more concerned about what others think of my giving, or am I truly seeking to please God with my heart attitude?
Prayer
Lord, as you look into my heart may you find that it is all about you, Lord Jesus, amen.
Scripture Writing: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
For more daily devotions like this – At the Potter’s Wheel (Kindle)
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