Key Passage
Jesus sat near the temple money box where people put their gifts. He watched the people put money in the box. Many rich people gave much money. Then a poor widow came and gave two very small copper coins. These coins were not even worth a penny. Jesus called his followers to him. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth. This poor widow gave only two small coins. But she really gave more than all the rich people. Those people have plenty; they gave only what they did not need. This woman is very poor. But she gave all she had. And she needed that money to help her live.”
— Mark 12:41-44 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Jesus sees into the hearts of people and knows their situations. He sees through the facades. That’s why he will do the judging. On the surface, the rich who gave large amounts of money as their offerings appear to be making huge gifts. This can sometimes gain them notoriety and applause. However, the folks who give small amounts may actually be giving a lot more because it costs them so much more to give the smaller amount. God doesn’t judge the gift by its size, but its sincerity and generosity of heart.
Prayer
O Father in heaven, you have graciously given me everything in Jesus. Please help me as I seek to be a responsible and generous steward of the gracious gifts you have lavished upon me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace (kindness) that God gave the churches (groups of believers) in Macedonia. Those believers have been tested by great troubles. And they are very poor people. But they gave much because of their great joy. I can tell you that they gave as much as they were able. Those believers gave even more than they could afford. They did this freely. No person told them to do this. But they asked us again and again—they begged us to let them share in this service for God’s people. And they gave in a way that we did not expect: They gave themselves to the Lord and to us before {they gave their money}. This is what God wants.
— 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Remember this: The person who plants little will harvest only a little. But the person who plants much will harvest much. Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give. A person should not give if it makes him sad. And a person should not give if he thinks he is forced to give. God loves the person who gives happily. And God can give you more blessings than you need. Then you will always have plenty of everything. You will have enough to give to every good work.
— 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Give this command to the people who are rich with the things this world has. Tell them not to be proud. Tell those rich people to hope in God, not their money. Money cannot be trusted. But God takes care of us richly. He gives us everything to enjoy. Tell the rich people to do good. Tell them to be rich in doing good things. And tell them to be happy to give and ready to share. By doing that they will be saving a treasure for themselves {in heaven}. That treasure will be a strong foundation —their future life can be built on that treasure. Then they will be able to have the life that is true life.
— 1 Timothy 6:17-19
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