SCRIPTURE: Luke 21:1-4
It is not the size of the gift, but of the giver’s heart, that counts.
God can do more with this widow’s penny, than with the sizable donations of the rich.
God doesn’t need our money, but He does need – and desires – our hearts, our commitment.
Better big heart with little gifts, than big gifts with little hearts.
Is your heart in your giving – regardless of the size of the gift.
Are you giving out of reluctant duty, or devoted commitment to a cause?
Our church depends on the widows (or single parents) pennies.
I know a bit of their struggle, and I sense their commitment.
Like Jesus, I celebrate the devoted giving of those in our community who seem to have so little.
What does Jesus see when I make a contribution, what does He see in my heart?
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, teach me the joy of joyful giving. May my heart be big, no matter what I am giving. Use my gifts of any and every size to build Your kingdom!
Observation/Application
Christ sees.
He sees all.
In our giving, do I give from the heart? Or duty? Or to impress? To be seen?
This reminds me of my earlier days as a paper boy, or going around for the ‘green boxes’ for Christian education, or for worthy drives raising monies for worthy causes. It always seemed that those least able to give did give. And those who had the abundance to give, didn’t. Those had the least, it ‘hurt’ the most. Those who had, didn’t want to part with it.
It is all a matter of the heart.
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be also.
Gifts given for the kingdom of God.
What am I building today. What do I do with the gifts received? People do give but it must be heart conditioned. All for Jesus.
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.
For it’s only in Your will that I am free,
For it’s only in Your will that I am free,
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.