Jesus was at the temple teaching his disciples. He observed the following and made a lesson for all of us out of what He knew and what He saw.

Luke 21:1-4 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. ² He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ³ “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ⁴ All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Jesus knows our hearts and our motives when we give. He pointed out the rich who look good and give a lot into the temple coffers. Then Jesus pointed to a poor widow who put in a very small amount. On the surface it would seem the rich were doing a better job of giving generously to God’s work, but Jesus knows the circumstances of this widow’s heart and resources. She gave out of her poverty putting all she had towards God’s work. The lesson for us is: we need to give out of our hearts sacrificially not what is convenient or what makes us look good. Those that give out of their wealth give gifts that are used by God, but what concerns God most is our heart attitude and willingness to give sacrificially to see His Word go forth.

Where do you need to examine your own giving methods and reasons? Is God at the heart of your giving? Do you give cheerfully or begrudgingly? Are you giving God the ‘first fruits’ or the left overs? We need to look carefully at our hearts as we give as it does not matter whether we are giving a large amount or a small. God knows our hearts so we need to be honest and open to His leading. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can give with an open heart motivated by His love and seeking to honor Him with my gifts. Let Jesus be the keeper of your heart and let His Holy Spirit shape and define your motives for giving to Him. Let your ‘put in’ with your monies be a true reflection of your love for Him.

Linda