What can we learn about God's perspective on giving from Luke 21:3? Setting the Scene Luke 21 finds Jesus in the temple, observing worshipers as they place offerings in the treasury. Among wealthy donors, a poor widow drops in two small copper coins worth almost nothing. Jesus immediately calls His disciples and declares: “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others.” (Luke 21:3) What Jesus Saw • He witnessed not an amount, but a heart. • He measured value by sacrifice, not by monetary size. • He affirmed that spiritual realities outweigh visible economics. Principle 1 – God Evaluates Proportion, Not Portion • The widow’s gift was tiny in currency, yet “more” in God’s ledger (Luke 21:3). • 2 Corinthians 8:12: “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” • God’s accounting centers on how much remains after giving, not how much leaves the hand. Principle 2 – Genuine Giving Springs from Trust • Luke 21:4 adds that she “out of her poverty put in all she had to live on”. • Her act displays unwavering faith in God’s provision (cf. Matthew 6:31-33). • Hebrews 11:6 underscores that “without faith it is impossible to please Him”; the widow pleased Him by entrusting tomorrow to Him. Principle 3 – Sacrificial Giving Honors God • Romans 12:1 calls believers to present themselves “as a living sacrifice”. The widow’s coins symbolize a life laid down. • David echoes this posture: “I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). Principle 4 – Motive Outweighs Public Applause • Jesus addressed prior givers who sought recognition (Luke 20:46-47). • Matthew 6:1 cautions: “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them”. • The widow’s unnoticed act is elevated precisely because it sought no spotlight. Living It Out Today • Examine proportion: Am I giving in a way that reflects gratitude and dependence? • Cultivate trust: View giving as participation in God’s care, not a financial loss. • Embrace quiet generosity: Let giving remain a private conversation between you and the Lord (Matthew 6:3-4). • Remember the reward: “Give, and it will be given to you… For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38) Final Takeaway From Luke 21:3 we learn that God’s perspective on giving centers on the heart of sacrificial faith. When believers offer whatever they have—whether large or small—with wholehearted trust, Heaven counts it as “more.” |
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