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Giving
"In contrast to the Pharisees and the rich who shower gifts into the treasury, a poor widow comes with two copper coins. Contributions for running the temple were placed in trumpet-shaped receptacles, thirteen of which were located in the court of women. An officer oversaw the collection and often counted what had been given. These coins were the smallest ones made—each worth 1/100 of a denarius (about five minutes of labor at minimum wage). The woman here is not looking for credit, but for how she can humbly serve God.
...Another important point about giving surfaces here. No one is too poor to give. The issue is not the amount but participation. In one sense, this woman’s gift would not have been missed had she kept her two copper coins to live on. But what would have been missed was her sense of participation in the community where God was being honored. Had she walked by the temple and kept the coins, she would have been the loser. On the other hand, by contributing her two coins, she communicated an appreciation and trust for God that few others experienced. Jesus’ remark memorializes her courageous act and urges us to do the same." [1] (bolding mine)
Wow. Very important thoughts there about giving. God does not need our money, our time, or our service, yet HE DESIRES IT. Giving is not about us, but about Him. That being said, God uses our giving to change us as we participate in His work.
So, I've mentioned three things here: money, time, and service. What is it that you are able to give? The amount doesn't matter. Give what you can. Do you have an hour free per week? Find out how you can give it to God. A few dollars? It can be used to help buy a Bible for someone. Don't feel like you have a usable skill? If you're willing, God can use ANYTHING that you can do for His glory. Don't let your resources go to waste because you don't feel like you have enough of them. Use what you have to participate in God's work. Remember, even though it's small, it's important. Jesus praised the woman's offering because she gave what she could. Don't miss out on the work of God!
Seriously. If you have anything to give, please let me know so we can get you connected to a way that you can use what you have for God's glory. Don't let your chances (even small ones) pass you by!
Giving
"In contrast to the Pharisees and the rich who shower gifts into the treasury, a poor widow comes with two copper coins. Contributions for running the temple were placed in trumpet-shaped receptacles, thirteen of which were located in the court of women. An officer oversaw the collection and often counted what had been given. These coins were the smallest ones made—each worth 1/100 of a denarius (about five minutes of labor at minimum wage). The woman here is not looking for credit, but for how she can humbly serve God.
...Another important point about giving surfaces here. No one is too poor to give. The issue is not the amount but participation. In one sense, this woman’s gift would not have been missed had she kept her two copper coins to live on. But what would have been missed was her sense of participation in the community where God was being honored. Had she walked by the temple and kept the coins, she would have been the loser. On the other hand, by contributing her two coins, she communicated an appreciation and trust for God that few others experienced. Jesus’ remark memorializes her courageous act and urges us to do the same." [1] (bolding mine)
Wow. Very important thoughts there about giving. God does not need our money, our time, or our service, yet HE DESIRES IT. Giving is not about us, but about Him. That being said, God uses our giving to change us as we participate in His work.
So, I've mentioned three things here: money, time, and service. What is it that you are able to give? The amount doesn't matter. Give what you can. Do you have an hour free per week? Find out how you can give it to God. A few dollars? It can be used to help buy a Bible for someone. Don't feel like you have a usable skill? If you're willing, God can use ANYTHING that you can do for His glory. Don't let your resources go to waste because you don't feel like you have enough of them. Use what you have to participate in God's work. Remember, even though it's small, it's important. Jesus praised the woman's offering because she gave what she could. Don't miss out on the work of God!
Seriously. If you have anything to give, please let me know so we can get you connected to a way that you can use what you have for God's glory. Don't let your chances (even small ones) pass you by!
[1] Darrell L. Bock, The NIV Application Commentary: Luke (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 526, 528.
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