“Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, ‘Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’” – Luke 21:3-4
Jesus is always more concerned with our heart, attitude, and thoughts than our external appearances. This is certainly true when it comes to our giving to advance His Kingdom! God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He owns all money and never “needs” money to accomplish His purposes. However, He invites every follower of Christ into the joy of giving to His Kingdom.
As we respond to that invitation, God is far more interested in our heart of gratitude, generosity, joy, and sacrifice than absolute amounts. He isn’t interested in a contract negotiation or in perfunctory and thoughtless check-writing to fulfill some perceived obligation. The poor widow gave an amount that from an earthly perspective was worthless. However, it was a huge sacrifice to her. Jesus praised her, because her gift represented great devotion, trust, and faithfulness.
God has given us everything we have and enjoy. He’s given us His precious Son Jesus, who died on our behalf. God desires for us to develop a grateful heart that likewise practices generous, sacrificial giving of self. In inviting us to give sacrificially to advance His Kingdom, God isn’t demanding exact, legalistic percentages. Instead, God’s inviting generous, joyful, “painful” giving that exercises the faith of that poor widow that God will provide for her while renouncing the fear that money easily instills in our hearts.