Giving Sacrificially - It's More Than Money - The Poor Widow

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Jesus was obviously talking about money in this passage.  And if you know anything about widows in the Bible, you know that they were the poorest of the poor.  They could not own land and could not be "willed" anything when their husbands passed away.  They relied on family members to take them in and provide for their needs.  The early Church even makes a point to remind the believers to remember the widows and care for them.

When Jesus noticed that the widow woman had put in her two small copper coins, He was moved and immediately called His disciples to teach them a lesson.

And although this woman was giving money, I think there is more we can take away.

Jesus sat watching people give small portions of their abundance.  They gave enough of what they had to be noticed, but not so much that they would be affected financially - there would be no inconvenience by what they gave.

And then the widow gave all that she had - she did not hold back anything from her offering, but instead she gave it all.  It was not a lot in the eyes of the world, but in her world - it was everything.

It seems we can take this beyond just our money.  We have been blessed with Spiritual gifts, talents, natural interests, and even time (believe me - it's there - just ask...).

God wants us to give sacrificially sometimes.  He doesn't just want us to play it safe all of the time.  Sometimes He wants to stretch us - He wants us to feel inconvenienced - He wants our comfortable lives to be affected - He wants us to go all in.

What are your gifts, talents, and interests?  Has God asked you to give sacrificially?  Has He asked you to go all in?

It was about a year ago that I felt like it was really time to get serious about my writing.  But I didn't want to go all in.  I didn't want to expose myself to the world - or even to my friends.  I didn't want to be vulnerable and open and honest.  I wanted to be safe and fit in and anonymous.

But over and over and over again I knew God was telling me to write.  And I was actively disobeying.

And then I started moving - slowly and cautiously at first - and now a little faster with a little more abandon.

If I said I was fully surrendered, I would be lying.  But I am learning that allowing Jesus access to more of me is both painful and liberating.

Jesus watched a lot of people give of themselves that day in the temple, but only one woman's sacrificial giving moved Him.  My prayer is that my obedience and sacrifice would one day move my Savior.


You can read more about the Poor Widow's story at She Reads Truth.  Also read Mark 12:41 - 44.