And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” ~ Mark 12:41-44
We get in a tight spot financially and may be tempted to withhold our tithe/pledge/offering. Surely God wouldn’t want us to give to church and come up short ourselves. That may sound convincing to our own ears, but it’s not Biblical. Here Jesus commended the poor widow for giving “all she had to live on.” She didn’t give a little of her resources or 10% of her income—she gave everything. It’s not likely that we will ever be in a position to give all our money to God’s Church. But what He really wants is 100% of us—our souls and bodies.
Lord God, forgive me for being stingy with the financial resources You have given me. I will give generously to the work of Your Kingdom. I will give You myself—my soul and body—to worship You, take up my cross, and follow Jesus. In His name. Amen.
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