All She Had

Day 112: Luke 21:1-28

"For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” - Luke 21:4 ESV

Have you ever wondered what kind of generosity impresses God? I think when we are younger, it is something we dismiss as irrelevant. We say things like, "I only make 72 dollars a week. Can my $7.20 really make a difference to the church?"

Jesus shows us that it isn't about the amount we can drop into a plate or donate online.

Psalm 24:1 sings that the "earth is the Lord's, and all it contains." So, when we give, we aren't handing God something that He doesn't already own. This woman wasn't giving to please, pacify, or manipulate God; she gave as an act of surrendering worship.

The challenge for us today isn't to take a look at the number we're giving but to take a long look at our hearts instead as we give. The percentage usually tells the story. Have you decided what percentage you believe God wants you to give? The Apostle Paul saw this as vital to the act of generosity:

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

Dare I say that some of the happiest people I know are the most generous. Money doesn't control them. They would much rather worship the One who owns it all.