PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 21:1-4
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others.” (Luke 21:3)
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 does need – and desires – our hearts.
Better big heart with little gifts, than big gifts with little hearts.
God can do great things through small numbers, if the hearts are behind the gifts.
Our time, talents and treasures will all band together for Jesus and the cause.
The world looks at the size of the gift, God looks at the size of the heart!
God’s mission teams (i.e. churches) work with and through giving hearts.
So much so, that churches often become focused on money and budgets.
We have to find a way to take our focus away from money, and put it on mission.
My sense is that the more we focus on mission, the less money will be a problem.
If our treasure is God’s kingdom and justice, everything else will follow.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
We could also say the opposite: where your heart is, there your treasure will be also!
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!
“but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” When it comes down to it – I too give out of poverty – not in terms of ‘earthly wealth’ – but in terms of my redemptive position. I am a sinner – destined for damnation – anything I do now is given out of that poor situation – as Jesus makes me rich – redeemed. So my heart says it is all the Lord’s – so I desire to check my selfishness – and be willing to give my assets to Jesus – to put them at His disposal – to have and to use – they are His. Help me Lord to be generous with what you entrusted to me – help me not to be tight fisted and keeping my barn shut up for my own future!
Lord teach me to stretch when I give, instead of rationing! Sometimes I overspend or impulsively spend. Lord, help me overgive and impulsively give!
The gospel in one word is love and that love comes from the heart.
Love God.
Love man.
That needs to be the driving force for all I do. Living for Jesus must be shown with the attitude or gratitude with altitude. God has blessed me and I need to be a blessing to others because all what I have is from His hand.
1 We give thee but thine own,
whate’er the gift may be;
all that we have is thine alone,
a trust, O Lord, from thee.
2 May we thy bounties thus
as stewards true receive,
and gladly, as thou blessest us,
to thee our first fruits give.
3 To comfort and to bless,
to find a balm for woe,
to tend the lone and fatherless
is angels’ work below.
4 The captive to release,
to God the lost to bring,
to teach the way of life and peace–
it is a Christlike thing.
5 And we believe thy Word,
though dim our faith may be;
whate’er for thine we do, O Lord,
we do it unto thee.