Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many [who were] rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to [Himself] and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 “for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

– Mark 12:41-44 (NKJV)

There is a story that goes around about a chicken and a pig. One day they are walking along and they see a sad little boy who doesn’t have a breakfast and the chicken speaks up and says, “We can do something about that. Let’s get this boy some bacon and eggs!” The pig looks at the chicken and says, “do you know what you are saying? For you, that’s a small sacrifice, for me that’s a total commitment!”

When Jesus observes folks giving in the temple he notices that some of the wealthy men give a large amount of money, but it is out of an abundance or excess. They do so with recognition and in today’s world you might get a building named after you if you throw around a lot of money like they were. Then the widow, who doesn’t have much gives what amounts to a just a little bit…

Jesus sees the heart of those who gave. He notes that the wealthy men gave out of abundance. There lifestyle won’t change for all the money they have given. They will still have nice things at home and all the luxury that their wealth can afford because even though they have given a large sum of money, they are still wealthy…. The widow woman however gave out of her poverty. She gave her last little bit to the Lord trusting him to provide. Those small coins that she gave could have been used to buy food or another small necessity that she will miss out on now that she has given.

The widow who gave less money actually gave more than those who put in large donations. The difference wasn’t in the dollar amount but in the dependence amount. The woman was depending on God to provide for her. The rich men would still have their riches to count on. The widow gave sacrificially.

It is important to notice that God sees our hearts. We should all give generously and without compulsion but when give there will be times where we may give out of abundance and there will be times where like this widow, we give sacrificially. There have been times where I have skipped meals and taken the money out of my budget dedicated to meals in order to help someone in need or give money to missions. Every time I have been doubly blessed. I am blessed in the fasting and prayer that accompanies and empty stomach and I’ve been blessed to give to help an individual or a cause.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful for how you provide for us. We are thankful for the opportunities we have to give to show our dependence on you and our care for others through benevolence and ministry. We count ourselves blessed when we can give sacrificially. Let us not judge others by what we see and the math that makes sense on a spreadsheet, but help us love one another all the more for the math that takes into account the heart behind each attitude and action. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.