THE WIDOW GAVE MORE

MEMORY: And he said, of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. Luke 21:3

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 42-44

BIBLE STUDIES: Luke 21:1- 4

God does not see things as men see them. Isaiah 55:8 says for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. Whilst men look at the outward appearance – the suit, smell of cologne, stature, professional qualification, etc, God looks at the heart. This is why He picked David over his brothers. If God were to look into your heart right now, what will He find? Eye service? Lip service? False humility? Selective humility? God prefers quality to quantity. He would rather work with two serious individuals than waste His resources on 100 others who are not ready to take on responsibilities. When He wanted to defeat the Midianites in Judges 7, He picked 300 out of the 30,000 available. As far as He is concerned, the 29,700 were not ready.

There are a lot to learn from the story in Luke 21:1-4. Although this widow gave the least in monetary terms, according to Jesus, she gave the most. Luke 21:3 says and he said, of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. There are several reasons why Jesus said she gave the most. First of all, while some gave grudgingly, she gave cheerfully. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. Some may ask, how do you know she gave cheerfully? If she had not given cheerfully, Jesus would not have said she gave the most. Secondly, her gift cost her something. Luke 21:4 says for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all that living that she had. When was the last time you gave God a gift that cost you something? Thirdly, her gift reflected her faith in God. On a normal day, she would have saved her last for the rainy day but she gave it because she believed that God will provide for her. Lastly, she gave all.

TO PONDER: The services you render in the house of God, do you do them grudgingly or out of necessity or with a cheerful heart? What has your service in the house of God cost you? Do you give your best when given an assignment or act as if you are doing the pastor a favour?

Bro Samuel| Reaching the world for Jesus.