This is going to be a weekly blog post on Sunday. Sundays are a day to relax and refresh. So every Sunday I will post a brief devotional to help you get through your week. Today it is about being generous.
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.” – Luke 21:1-3, NIV
Valerie clutched her last five dollars tightly in her sweaty palms. Since being widowed a year ago, every dollar went toward keeping food on the table for her growing sons. She worked two jobs and each night, she crawled into bed exhausted.
She could hold onto her last bit of cash but she thought of her church’s homeless fund. “There are others out there with even less,” Valerie reminded herself as she dropped the money into the offering box in her church foyer.
A similar situation happened one day when Jesus was visiting the local temple (church). Many gave with much fanfare, drawing attention to their extravagant gifts. They were seeking acknowledgment and praise from those around them.
But their gifts didn’t impress the Messiah at all. Instead, He highlighted a widow who had thrown in two coins. Though she was poor and could use the money for her own household, she gave generously to others.
This story illustrates a simple truth about Jesus: The size of your gift doesn’t matter. What does is the intention behind the gift. When you give from your heart, Jesus is delighted with your offering whether it’s big or small. So tell me how can you be generous? Remember it doesn’t matter the amount or the time just that you give with a cheerful heart.
God, please let me be a generous giver. Let me give—not to receive praise or recognition—but from a sincere desire to honor You.
