warm-up

What was the most unexpected gift you’ve ever received? How did you react?

When was the last time you gave something away because you didn’t really need it? Tell us about it.

What image comes to mind when you hear the word “sacrifice”? Why is this so?

word

⁴³And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. ⁴⁴For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43,44

(Read also Mark 12:41,42.)

When this Gospel account was written, people only used coins. Based on the noise these coins made as they fell into the offering box, people could tell how much was given. The more noise, the bigger the offering. In this story, Jesus called the attention of His disciples and pointed out that the poor woman who gave little in fact put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. This tells us that whenever we give, Jesus looks at our hearts, not the amount of our offering and how much noise it makes. Here are two things we can learn from the story of the poor widow.

1
While others gave out of surplus, the poor widow gave sacrificially.

⁴¹And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴²And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. Mark 12:41,42

In the eyes of the world, the widow’s offering was very small. But Jesus was quick to point out its real value. Out of her poverty, she gave everything she had, all she had to live on. No one would have taken it against her had she kept one coin to herself. But out of her love and devotion to God, she gave sacrificially. She showed complete trust and dependence on Him. In the same way, God wants us to put our confidence not on our finances but on Him. We can give sacrificially because we know that our God will be faithful to provide all our needs. Have you ever witnessed sacrificial giving? How did God speak to you through that situation?

2
Jesus saw and commended how she gave.

⁴³And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. ⁴⁴For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43,44

We see that the value of the gift is determined by what it cost the giver. The others gave larger amounts out of their abundance. Their offering was their surplus and they would not even miss it in their everyday life. They probably gave because they knew they had to. On the other hand, the poor widow put in everything she had. During this time, widows faced a lot of uncertainty because they did not have any means of provision. Still, the poor widow gave—not out of obligation, but out of devotion to God. Jesus saw her heart and commended her for what she did. In the same way, God sees our hearts when we give. If we trust Him, and give in spite of our situation, He will honor our faith. What does Psalm 9:10 say about trusting God?

application

As believers, God is calling us to trust Him with our finances. How can you exercise your faith in this area?

Why do you think Jesus sat at the temple watching people as they gave? What do you think He would say about you, if you were there too? How does knowing that God looks at your heart when you give change your attitude toward giving? How will it affect the way you give?

Think of people you know who are experiencing financial difficulties this season. Ask God for ways you can encourage them to trust Him and act in faith.

prayer

Thank God for the story of the poor widow and her heart to give to Him. Pray for God to increase your faith so that your giving will not be dictated by what you have, but by who He is.

Pray for the grace to give wholeheartedly, even if it means giving sacrificially.

Pray for your family and friends who need to trust God in this season. Pray for opportunities to share His faithfulness to them this week.

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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
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