#DailyDevotion How Much Of What You Own Belongs To God?

Mark 12:41-44

⁴¹As Jesus sat facing the contribution boxes, He was watching how people put money into them. Many rich people put in much. ⁴²A poor widow came and dropped in two small coins, worth about a cent. ⁴³He called His disciples. “I tell you,” He said to them, “this poor widow certainly put in more than all the others who put in money. ⁴⁴All the others took some of what they had left over and dropped it in, but she put in what she needed herself, all she had — all she had to live on.”

After Jesus mentioning how the Scribes, upstanding citizens that they were, were swallowing the homes of widows we see Jesus watching a poor widow in the Temple. He was also watching how people put money into the contribution boxes. Rich people put a whole lot of money into the boxes. But there is that poor widow. She only dropped in two small coins worth the least amount of money in that day. For us, that would be a penny.

Now Jesus tells his disciples the most amazing thing, “this poor widow certainly put in more than all the others who put in money.” Well how can this be? Apparently God isn’t impressed with vast amounts of money like we are. Big donors with big wallets don’t get his juices flowing. Why not? The LORD our God looks at the heart and not at outward appearances. Those who gave a lot gave out of their abundance. A million dollars out of billion isn’t a big sacrifice. This widow gave all she had. She gave 100%, everything she had to live on.

God knows what we have and don’t have. He also looks into the heart to see our attitude about giving to him. He also knows if we are giving to impress others or because we trust in him to provide all our needs. Like the widow of Zarephath who trusted Elijah’s promise and let him partake of her last meal with her son, this widow was trusting in God’s promise to take care of her.

In the Old Covenant there were a couple of sacrifices that tested the faith of Israel. One was the sacrifice of the first born. Who knew if that sheep, goat or cow would produce another? The was the first fruit of the fields. The LORD demanded the best, most perfect animal sacrifices as well. All these were to be made trusting the LORD would provide them with more and good animals and crops.

Now God, the Father in heaven sent his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the first born of Mary to be our sacrifice for our sins. You might as well say He sacrificed all he had. He gave up his life for you. How will you respond to this sacrifice? In your offering and tithes how do you give? Do you have a heart that believes everything you have is the LORD’s? Do you give sometimes even when it hurts because you trust your Father in heaven to take care of you? Do you give with a thankful and cheerful heart for all He has done for you? I hope you answers to these questions is yes. If not, then change your mind. Believe what God has done for you in Christ Jesus. Believe His promise He will never leave you nor forsake you. He knows what you need before you ask and sends it quickly on the way. Believe this when you give so you can give with a cheerful, thankful heart.

Heavenly Father, give us faith to return to you with a cheerful, thankful heart recognizing all we have is yours. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.