Reading: Luke 21, Psalm 37:22

For [those] blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, But [those] cursed by Him shall be cut off.

Luke Chapter 21 begins like this, “And then He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites”.

The Temple treasury was a large box set up by King Jehoiada to collect money for the ongoing repairs and upkeep of the Temple (2 Chron. 24:8). In addition to the people bringing their tithes, they were also commanded to give generously to this fund as they were able. By the time of Jesus it was customary for everyone to bring something for God’s house when they came to worship. This was an open public offering and everyone could see what each worshiper gave.

It was at this point that Jesus looked up and observed the offering of one poor widow to the Temple treasury box. A mite was a copper coin and the smallest monetary instrument in Israel at that time. In today’s terms it would have had the buying power of about one dollar. Jesus noted that it was all that she had. He goes on to say, "Truly, this poor widow has put in more than all, for all these have put in offerings for God out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had."

The power of this story lies in two important truths. First, Jesus watches what we give to His work. He inspects our offerings. Secondly, we learn the value of our offerings to God is not based on the amount given, but on the amount kept back. In other words God is looking at percentages more than amounts.

I’ve known many struggling families who give a full tithe (10%) of their limited income and offerings on top of that. Every time they give it is a sacrifice. And I have seen the Lord bless them through their faithfulness. I’ve also known highly successful business people and professionals who give a small fraction of their income. While every gift is precious, it is the offering given in sacrifice that carries the greater value in the eyes of the Lord. it is not just what we give, but what we hold back that the Lord notices. He is not looking for equal gifts. He is looking for equal sacrifice.

God’s promise in Psalm 37:22 is that “those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth”.

The Lord blesses those who give sacrificially - particularly when we are giving out of our place of need. And just like the poor widow in our story, in the end, we shall be”... blessed by Him and inherit the earth”.

As you go before the Lord, ask Him if He is pleased with your giving to His work. Are you truly tithing? If not, look closely at what you are giving to the preaching of the Gospel. What would it look like to give to the Lord with the same spirit as the widow in our story?
Write a prayer to the Lord asking Him to increase your faith for giving. Invite the Holy Spirit to make you more sensitive to His promptings to give.
Then sit and listen to what He speaks to your heart.
Write down what you hear, and start taking action.

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