“For all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty has put in the entire livelihood that she had” (Luke 21:4).
An elderly woman attempted to walk up to the front of the church. Lack of courage brought her back into the far corner of the sanctuary with her head bowed low. The plain clothes on her body proved that she was a widow. She wanted to move toward to the offering box in the middle of this big church, but she was hesitant. She looked around and noticed so many rich people who had donated large amounts of money to the church already. “What can my two coins do for the church?” she asked herself. In her heart, she wanted to offer to God what little she had. The two little coins may not do great things for God’s house, but these coins were very valuable to her. She debated back and forth with herself. Hesitant thoughts ran through her mind continuously. Finally, she took courage and gingerly stepped up to the offering box. She offered the two little coins to God with all her heart.
The widow wanted to give thanks to God even when she was poor. Although she had the right to spend what little money she had for herself, for her daily necessities such as food, but she offered everything because she loved God. She gave to God without thinking what she was going to eat today. She was not afraid of lacking in basic needs, or being in debt.
The offering from this widow was not an excessive or extravagant offering but an offering of faith. Her experience of living daily with God gave her the strength. She knew that God would never forsake her. She understood that she needed to offer to God everything. In her heart, she knew that God loved her, and if God loved her then that was all she needed in this world.
Our God is not so poor to beg for coins from His children. He has the power to give riches because silver and gold belong to Him. He loves a cheerful giver because he wants us to learn gratitude, faith, and trust in our daily life. God does not evaluate our offerings based on the amount. He evaluates our gifts based on our motive and our love for Him. How is our faith when the money is tight?
Let’s exercise our faith even when our finances are short. Let’s give gladly to God even when we are still in debt.
Pastor Duong Quang Thoai
Translate by Minh Merideth.
