Luke 21, Part 1

Scripture: Luke 21:1-4

Observation: Jesus observes as people are giving their tithes and offerings at the temple. He notices and points out a clear disparity. The rich put in their gifts, and a poor widow puts in a couple of small copper coins of little monetary value. Yet Jesus says the widow has given more than anyone else, because while everyone else gave from what they had (their abundance), she gave from what she didn't have (all she had to live on).

Application: What matters to God is not how much we give, but the attitude in which it is given. For the rich, giving was just a matter of reaching into their pockets and throwing in some coins. Yet this widow gave sacrificially; she gave what little she had, trusting God for the rest. That's the key - do I give trusting that God will take care of me, or do I worry about giving too much ang being left with nothing?

Prayer: Father, everything I have is Yours. I can take nothing with me when I die; everything belongs to You. Why should it bother me or worry me to give You back what is Yours? You've never left me nor forsaken me. I can trust You with my entire life. May my giving be from my heart, sacrificially and not superficially. You deserve all, not just my leftovers. In Christ I pray, Amen.