Connect 2 Corinthians 8:12 with the widow's offering in Mark 12:41-44. Generosity Rooted in Willing Hearts “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” (2 Corinthians 8:12) The Widow’s Living Illustration “Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into it. Many rich people put in large sums. Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a cent. Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, has put in all she had to live on.’” (Mark 12:41-44) Shared Truths between Corinth and the Temple Court • God weighs the heart before He weighs the amount. • A willing spirit transforms any gift into “acceptable” worship. • Giving that costs us something reveals genuine trust in the Lord’s provision (see 2 Samuel 24:24). Echoes throughout Scripture • 1 Chronicles 29:14 — “All things come from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” • Luke 6:38 — “Give, and it will be given to you… For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” • Proverbs 3:9-10 — “Honor the LORD with your wealth… then your barns will be filled with plenty.” • Acts 2:44-45 — Early believers shared “as anyone had need,” mirroring both the widow’s heart and Paul’s teaching. Practical Marks of Acceptable Giving 1. Voluntary, not pressured (2 Corinthians 9:7). 2. Proportionate to present resources, not imagined riches. 3. Joyful, because it reflects confidence in God’s care (Philippians 4:19). 4. Sacrificial, demonstrating that God—not money—is our security. Living the Lesson • Start with willingness; ask what you truly have, not what you wish you had. • Small gifts matter when they flow from surrendered hearts. • Trust that God sees, records, and rewards every act of faith-filled generosity. |
    |