(Luke 21:1-4)
What is the real significance of the offering this widow made at the Temple
that day? As most were making their offering from the abundance they had
been blessed with, here come a widow lady with no wealth, no possessions,
just
getting by day to day. Yet Jesus took the time to point out that her
offering was greater than the others, not in the amount, but in the heart it
was given with. I am really tired of hearing all of the manipulative pleas
for money that too many make. Money is necessary to fuel the
work
of the Kingdom, but in 10 years of ministry my appeals have always been
simple. Give to bless others, just as God has blessed you. When you give
to
help others, you not only receive a blessing, but your gift blesses others.
The point of this passage is that the widow gave because she had faith in
God
to meet her daily needs, and gave out of obedience and understanding of how
God works. You don't "give to get". You give to bless others, and because
of your right heart and obedience, God in turn blesses you. His blessings
come in many forms. Not just money but in things like health, safety, daily
provision, many of the blessings we just take for granted.
The point I want you to take from today is that the amount you give isn't
important, it is the heart and motivations that you give it with. When you
give sacrificially, you are saying to God that you trust Him to provide for
your need as He promised to and you are more concerned for others than
yourself. Nothing can touch the heart of God more than giving of yourself
to
others, much as He gave His own Son for the sins of this world. God
understands sacrificial giving.
