Total Giving

Mark 12:41-44

The Widow's Offering
41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,[a]worth only a fraction of a penny.[b]

43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

Reflection of Bee:

What is "total giving"? It's giving of all that we have, no mater how little it may be, yet its significance is 100%.

The widow "put in everything—all she had to live on". That is, she would have nothing left for her living after that. Why did she do that? I guess that is an act of surrendering her life to God and dependency on God's providence, besides gratitude and worship.

The bible says that God loves a cheerful giver, that means we need to give willingly and happily. "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Dear Lord,
Teach me to give You more of my time than other things in my life. Teach me to give You my all just like the widow did.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.