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“I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
Luke 21:3–4
We must all see ourselves as this poor widow by offering our “whole
livelihood” to Christ. Everything we have is a gift from God, and
it must be offered back to God, sacrificially, as our gift to Him.
The material offering made by this poor widow was two small coins
worth very little. The truth is that even if you were the richest
person in the world and donated all that you had to God, it would
greatly pale in comparison to the gift given to us by our Lord. We
are all poor in the big picture of God’s grace and His Kingdom. The
most any one of us can offer is symbolized by these two small
coins.
As you look at your own life, how willing are you to give
everything you have to our Lord for His glory and service? The only
appropriate “offering” we are called to give to our Lord is the
“sacrifice” of our entire life. This spiritual truth is something
very difficult for those who are very wealthy in the things of this
world. Material wealth offers an easy way to live in comfort. Money
can provide every modern convenience, entertainment, fun, worldly
security and much of what this world has to offer. But money cannot
buy fulfillment. It cannot satisfy us in the truest sense. This is
why many people who live very luxurious lives are not truly
happy.
Happiness is found in sacrifice. Specifically, it is found in
sacrificial love by which we dedicate everything we are and all
that we have to the sole purpose of the glory of God and the
furtherment of His Kingdom. Sadly, when one is rich in the things
of this world, it is easy to think that offering a portion of their
wealth, such as a tithe, means that they can keep and use the rest
any way they want. But that’s not true. Giving of ourselves
completely to God and to His service does not necessarily mean that
we donate all of our money to the Church. But it does mean that we
offer everything to God. For many, when this complete offering is
done every day, God will lead them to use their material resources
for the raising of their family, to take care of their basic needs,
and, at times, to even enjoy various comforts in life. But the real
question is whether or not you truly live as though all you have
and all you are is God’s and is to be used for His glory and the
furtherment of His will.
Reflect, today, upon this poor widow. She was greatly blessed to
have very little. This made it easier for her to remain detached
from money and other forms of material wealth. And in that
detachment, she gave all to God. She entrusted all to Him, and
Jesus noticed and praised her. Reflect upon our Lord’s reaction to
you and to the offering of your life to Him. If you are holding
back from our Lord, then use the witness of this poor widow to
inspire you to daily dedicate everything to the service of God in
accord with His holy will.
My wealthy Lord, Your riches are all that matter in life. You
bestow the riches of eternal salvation and countless other graces
upon those who have given all to You. I do give my life to You,
dear Lord. I give all that I have and all that I am. Please receive
the offering of my life and use me in accord with Your holy will.
Jesus, I trust in You.
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