I know the following passage is usually referred to in a sermon on tithing to drive home the point of sacrificial giving instead of proportional giving. However, in reading this passage through the lens of other types of offerings we can give to the Lord, I believe it pertains to our daily work as wives, moms, and women in general. Let’s look at it from a new angle, shall we?
Luke 21:1-4 says, “Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, ‘Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’”
In so many ways, apart from financial tithing to the church, I find myself being in both camps.
On one hand, sometimes I’m that rich person who gives of my time and effort when it is easy and doesn’t cost me anything. Sometimes I rarely feel the “sacrifice” of my offer because it is in those instances that I am not actually offering something heartfelt. It’s a duty. It’s an obligation and at times all of us easily find ourselves trapped in routine of accomplishing things out of obligation instead of obedience through conviction.
However, other times I truly feel the sacrifice in giving of my time, effort and energy. Most of those time it feels like my gift isn’t worthy to be offered in the first place.
Have you ever had those days when every moment seemed to be born out of frustration? Those days where you feel like a failure and like you have nothing to offer yet you trudge through and pray that God is somehow honored in it?
It is days like those when we are the poor widow. We have nothing to offer, despite this we try to anyway. We know that God is sovereign and is in control, (Ps. 115:3, Ps. 135:6, Eph. 1:11, Rom. 11:36, 1 Cor. 8:6) We trust that He is finishing the good work in us as we seek Him,(Philippians 1:6) even in our weaknesses, (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
It is in these moments when we trust that God sees our hearts and knows we are clothed in grace,(Matthew 5:3). His desire is for us to know the depth of these “small gifts” and He is using them to change us so we exemplify His character more and more over time, (Romans 5:3-5).
It is in these small and unworthy gifts that we are drawn closer to the heart of God.
Remember that Jesus took the 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish from a little boy in order to feed 5,000,(John 6:1-13). If He can use such a small gift for a multitude, he can use whatever I can offer as well.
Holly is wife to a smarty-pants husband & mom to two precious, sanctifying toddlers. Together they desire to build community for the glory of God in eastern Nebraska. She writes at The Brown Tribe for the purpose of connecting with & discipling women. In her spare time she enjoys photography, exploring the culinary craft, & is writing her first book.
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Really great thoughts. Thank you so much for sharing. I love the way you are weaving scripture to show how it applies to our everyday lives. I know I see HIS message & handiwork in all I do. (…and don’t do!) Blessings1
Thanks Dawnita and thank you for visiting She Lives Free!
Thank you Dawnita! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!