Creator, Father, King #216

God loves a person who gives cheerfully.

Plink. Plink . . .

Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink! Plink!

The coins rattled into the Temple collection boxes, causing quite a racket. The donors didn’t mind. They loved hearing the sound of their contributions echoing through the corridors, secretly hoping that others would notice their generosity.

This was all part of the chaotic scene at the Lord’s Temple on Tuesday of Passion Week as Jerusalem swarmed with pilgrims shortly before the annual Passover feast. Luke 21:1-4 records Jesus carefully observing this with his disciples.

Then a poor widow came up to one of the collection boxes.

Plink. Plink.

She dropped in two small copper coins. Jesus said to his disciples, “This poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has” (verses 3-4).

What’s It Mean?

By today’s monetary standards, the affluent Temple visitors that day probably gave hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. How could Jesus make such a statement?

It’s easy: God is the eternal, sovereign Ruler of heaven and earth. He created and owns all things. He doesn’t need our money. He wants our hearts.

The rich gave large sums but still had plenty left in savings. The woman, however, gave everything she had to live on. As a widow in a male-dominated society, she likely had no other way to earn money for food, clothing, or shelter. She was completely entrusting her future to God in faith.

Like all blessings in life, our money is ultimately not our own. It’s a gift from God that we are to steward well. As today’s verse says, God wants us to give joyfully to him, regardless of the amount.

Give your time, talents, and money generously to the Lord. Use what he has given you to bless others and advance his Kingdom. Above all, do it cheerfully, believing that God will provide all you need (Matthew 6:33). Then watch him reach into his heavenly storehouses and bless you in ways you couldn’t imagine—not for your financial gain, but for his glory!

Now What?

If you don’t already, start tithing (giving 10 percent of what you earn) to your church.

Did You Know?

In the original Greek language of the New Testament, the word for the widow’s coins was lepta, signifying the smallest copper coin available. It was roughly one centimeter in diameter and worth only a fraction of a laborer’s daily wage.