Sacrificial Giving

Scripture: 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. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4

Observation: I am very aware of the story of 'the widow's mite'. On this reading, I observe a fact that I have never considered before. While certainly praising the poor widow, Jesus stops shot of criticizing the gifts of the rich.

Application: I am reminded in this of the difference between tithe and offering. My tithe - the 10% of my gross income I give to the church every month - is an amount given out of my wealth. We can spare that money. In fact, I can honestly say that ever since we began tithing, we have never missed the money at all. What is a fairly large sum that it seems we would really want, we have never even noticed, and in fact every time things have gotten a little 'tight' for us, God provides more out of the blue.

So, when an I making a sacrificial gift to God? What have I given to got that I need to live on? Last year we did give over and above our tithe, and it took a little sacrifice, but it didn't "hurt". And it certainly wasn't to the point of putting us in jeopardy of our next meal. And in fact, it was even returned to us by God!

Prayer: I am here to be used, and my resources belong to you, God. Whatever you ask of me, I will hand over to you. May this poor woman who has been handed down through the centuries also be an example to me of sacrificial giving. Amen.