The Widow Woman

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people putting their gifts into the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two pennies. "I assure you," he said, "this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has." (Luke 21:1-4 NLT)

We read this and smile. Perhaps a tear begins to drop as we think of how this poor widow woman wanted to give something and did so, but not out of a legalistic leaning. She gave out of her heart even at the cost of perhaps her meals that day.

She was not motivated by a giving message that went on and on in the temple that day. Nobody passed a basket or asked people to come to the front to drop their offerings. At the entrance to the temple there was a collection box. We might call it an offering box. Those that came into the temple could drop their tithes and offerings into the box. The giving was done in secret. Unless you happened to be nearby and see who was passing the box, you did not know who put something in.

Jesus was nearby and noticed what she dropped in. Like with everything else, He used the observation to teach others. He did not embarrass the woman by shouting out to the crowd. No, He was speaking to His disciples who were with Him and always eager to learn.

When was the last time you gave all you had?

Most of us budget our money so we can meet expenses each month. We just hope we run out of month before we run out of money. Hopefully, this is what happens to you.

How does the offering fit into your budget? Do you wait until the end of the month to see how you did and then give what is left over? This is a good example of giving out of your surplus. Do you take that amount and give it over the next month a week at a time so others see you giving something? This is an example of giving out of pride.

The poor widow knew that she knew that her God would provide for her. She gave out of her heart knowing He would provide her needs. She had faith in the promises of God and was not worried about anything.

I don’t think it would be prudent to empty your savings accounts and retirement funds and give them at the next offering. And I do not believe in the teaching that tells us to give and God will return it back to us tenfold or better. God blesses us in His time.

Giving ten percent of your paycheck each week is certainly a tithe. But is that going to the church because you were taught a principle and given a formula? Or are you giving out of your heart, the result of your relationship with God?

I cannot give ten percent, you say. I have trouble meeting expenses each month with the twenty dollars I drop in the basket each week. What will happen if I give ten percent? I will go broke!

Remember the feeding of the five thousand and having baskets left over? Tithing is where God math takes over. His math has you giving ten percent and you getting through the month with all expenses covered and something left over.

Remember, this is not a formula. When you give your tithe from your heart to the Kingdom of God, You