Everything She Has

Reading: Mark 12; Psalm 35 41 Jesus went over to the collection box in the Temple and sat and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two pennies. 43 He called his disciples to him and said, “I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” (Mark 12:41-44 NLT) The things Jesus did and said in the last few days before his crucifixion always seem especially important to me. Right in the middle of the most intense, most significant seven days of his life and ministry, Jesus took time to sit and do some “people watching.” He sat near the offering box in the Temple and watched people “toss in money for the collection.” When one poor widow shyly dropped in two small copper coins, it made such an impression on Jesus that he called his disciples over and made it a lesson for them.

“It’s not how much you give that really counts with God, it’s how much you’ve kept for yourself.” Jesus spells out two kinds of giving. One is giving what you’ll never miss – giving away some of the blessings you have received. That’s a good thing to do. The other kind of giving is extravagantly giving what you can’t afford – giving everything you have – giving your all! That gets the attention and praise of Jesus himself! You know what? I think Jesus still watches people give! I don’t want to be satisfied with giving what I’ll never miss. How about you?

Prayer: Father, I purpose to give extravagantly. Help me to give regularly out of that with which you’ve blessed me. I want my generosity to be governed more by my heart than by my head. Please, please help me not to let selfishness, fear, or worries about the future keep me from responding to the heart-promptings of your Spirit to be extravagantly generous! I want you to be pleased with my giving. Amen.