After reading the story of the widow and her two mites, found in Luke 21, we might wonder, “Compared to her, will I ever give enough to Jesus?” She is inspiring, isn’t she? Let’s see what we can learn about giving from scripture.
In Deuteronomy 16:17 God says, “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God, which He has given to you.” We aren’t expected to give what we don’t have, but are to be generous with what we do have- and it’s not only our money (that would be too easy)!
Have you been blessed with a great love for children? Use up every bit of that love ministering to children. Have you been blessed with a great mind for business? How can you leverage that blessing for the kingdom of God? Has God gifted you artistically? What a blessing! How can you use that for Jesus?
Jesus commended the poor widow for giving all that she had. We don’t have to give our very last penny in order to give our lives wholly to God. Parents who devote their lives to adopted children, 10-year old’s who spend their summers raising money to send other kids to church camp, teachers who pass up other opportunities to make a difference in their public school are all giving what they have to God, and it pleases Him!
And while we are doing our giving, it only counts if we have done our giving with a cheerful heart. “Each one must do as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).”
Jim Elliot said, “He is a fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what He cannot lose.”
What a privilege to be blessed with the gifts God has given us! And what an honor to partner with God in the work of His Kingdom. When we lovingly give what we have, God says to us, “See if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows (Malachi 3:10).”
(For those who have missed any of the previous lessons, you can go to https://comethirstyministry.com/blog/ and view all previous postings.)
Week Thirty-Eight
Day 1: Luke 21:1-4 (The Widow)
Day 2: Luke 22:39-62 (The Servant Girl)
Day 3: Luke 23:1-44 (Women at Jesus’ Death)
Day 4: Luke 23:44-56 (Women at Jesus’ Death)
Day 5: Luke 24:1-4 (Women at Jesus’ Resurrection)