2008-07-02 10:44:00
"As He looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 'I tell you the truth,' 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).
Our daily text records the only specific giver that Jesus commended in Scripture. The big givers had come through the line. I imagine they crinkled their bills or clattered their coins for maximum effect. I can see them looking toward Jesus as they dropped in their offering expecting a thumbs up or approving nod.
Man's way is to commend the big givers. But Jesus said nothing until the poor widow came through. He went right to the heart of the matter in stating that, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others." What does He mean? Had He failed grade school math? Of course not. He explains Himself, but it simply runs counter to our type of reasoning. Most would beg to differ with Erich Fromm who wrote, "Not he who has much is rich, but he who gives much."
In man's reasoning "more" means the size of the check, not the degree of the sacrifice. God doesn't primarily look at the size of the offering but at the heart of the giver. Man tends to commend the famous athlete, the celebrity who builds a playground, or the wealthy businessman who gives a large gift to the project.
But I believe the Kingdom of God is primarily being advanced by scores of people who are much like the widow. They probably won't get a building named after them or make the cover of a magazine. But I believe they're the ones Jesus still commends. The main commendation we should all long for is to hear the words of our Master, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, help us to obey Your principles in the distribution of our income. May we give quietly and sacrificially with a generous spirit. Help us to use our resources soberly and distribute cheerfully from that which You have entrusted to us. We seek Your commendation and not the recognition of others in advancing the kingdom of God. Amen.
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