Poor giving ∙∙

Poor giving ∙∙

And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. – Luke 21:1

Luke 21:1-4

1 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box.
2 Then, a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.
3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them.
4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

Remember the “good old days” when you could haul your piggy bank, brimming with coins, to the local bank? With a sense of accomplishment, you’d watch as the coins were carefully counted out and exchanged for crisp paper currency. While times have certainly changed, those days aren’t entirely gone. Say hello to Coinstar.

Coinstar brings coin counting into the modern era. Found in many major supermarkets across the United States, Coinstar kiosks are a handy solution for turning loose change into something more functional. Simply pour your coins in and choose your desired exchange option—cash, gift card, or even a charitable donation. Clink, clink, cha-ching, cha-ching, and you’re done

The sound of coins brings to mind a fascinating parallel from history. During the time of Jesus, the Jewish temple had a section known as the treasury. Within this area were thirteen trumpet-shaped receptacles. These collection containers were narrow at the top and flared out at the bottom.

People would throw their coins into these trumpets, and the coins would echo with a metallic melody as they tumbled down. The noise each offering produced was unmistakable, and, as you might imagine, it drew attention. The larger the offering, the louder the sound. It makes you wonder—is this where the phrase “blowing your own horn” originated?

Picture the scene as Jesus sits and observes the offerings one day. A rich man strides forward with his generous contribution, casting in a multitude of coins. The noise is loud and dazzling—clunk, clunk, cha-ching, cha-ching, reverberating through the temple and capturing the attention of onlookers. It would have been a proud moment indeed.

Then comes a poor widow. Her humble contribution—two small coins—barely makes a sound. Clink, clink, and her moment passes quietly, almost unnoticed by those around her.

But Jesus notices. He sees beyond the noise. They are both doing the same thing: giving. While the rich man’s offering impresses the crowd, Jesus’ focus is on the widow. He sees her heart, her selflessness, and her trust in giving everything she has, even though it’s small in material value. From His perspective, her humble sacrifice is worth more than the rich man’s abundant offering—because her giving stems from a place of pure faith and devotion.

This scene offers a profound lesson. What matters is not the size of the gift but the size of the giver’s heart. Why we give holds far more weight than what we offer. Are we giving to be noticed, to feel proud, or to garner applause? Or are we giving out of love, gratitude, and a desire to honor God? While the world often measures generosity by the size of the gift, Jesus evaluates the size of the heart behind it.

The Father turns everything on its head. True value doesn’t lie in how much is given but rather in how much is kept. This profound truth invites humbling self-reflection, challenging us to scrutinize our motives and priorities regarding generosity.

Two key factors determine the worth of any gift. The first is the intention behind it. Gifts with true value flow from the abundance of a loving heart, demonstrating selflessness and genuine care. The second is the degree of sacrifice involved. A gift that represents little sacrifice to one person might be an overwhelming expression of generosity for another. Consider the widow’s offering in the temple. For the wealthy, their gifts cost them very little—they gave out of their surplus, their abundance. Conversely, the widow gave all she had, holding back nothing. Her sacrifice was total, and in the Father’s eyes, her tiny offering outweighed the vast contributions of the rich (Barclay).

Some people give with reckless, joyful abandon, unable to restrain the generosity bubbling over within them. Others carefully calculate their giving, measuring precise amounts to fulfill an obligation or a predetermined percentage.

And yet, as Anne Frank beautifully put it, “No one has ever become poor by giving.” Giving enriches the soul, expands the heart, and aligns us with the Father’s generous heart. Paradoxically, though, withholding what we can provide can impoverish us in ways far beyond financial loss. It can leave us spiritually barren, disconnected from the joys of selflessness and the blessing of seeing lives transformed through generosity.

The widow’s gift reminds us that the Father doesn’t measure our giving by the size of the amount but by the size of our heart’s surrender. True generosity is never about what we give to impress others or satisfy a sense of duty—it’s about giving in love and trust, holding nothing back, and reflecting the Father’s heart.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness” (Martin Luther King).

Father, encourage me to follow the example of the poor widow and be wise and generous in my giving.

INSIGHT

Giving goes beyond just monetary contributions; it encompasses time, care, active listening, sharing, nurturing, and being attentive to the needs of others. In the Torah, the five books of Moses, the importance of sharing is emphasized through established principles. One of these principles is the practice of gleaning.

Leviticus 19:9-10

9 When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop.
10 It is the same with your grape crop – do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you

Gleaning is all about sharing the harvest. It is not about giving away the farm.

Gleaning is a beautiful concept rooted in the idea of sharing the harvest without depleting one’s resources. It’s not about “giving away the farm” but rather about intentionally and wisely sharing the abundance that God has provided. It’s an act of generosity balanced with stewardship. In modern terms, we generously give out of our abundance without diminishing our principal.

Generous giving is not something only a few are born with—it’s a skill that can be learned and cultivated. The apostle Paul outlines practical principles.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

6 Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

“Paul’s emphasis falls on the value of advanced planning and preparation rather than last-minute scrambling and the resultant pressure” (Ciampa and Rosner). Good giving is planned giving. There was to be “No pressure, no gimmicks, no emotion” (Garland). As the Father provides success or prosperity, we are to set aside a portion of it to provide for others. The greater the abundance, the greater our ability to give. “Although he does not say as much, such a plan will also ensure a greater gift than a single collection” (Fee).

Each child of the King should set aside a portion of what we have received due to the Father’s blessing (1 Corinthians 16:2).

In the first century A.D., paychecks and direct deposits did not exist. People earned money through various means, such as labor, farming, and fishing. Some weeks or even seasons would bring an abundance, while at other times, there might be nothing at all. Many children of the King were slaves and had no income.

Ultimately, what matters is not the size of the gift but the generosity of the giver’s heart.

Learning to give generously starts with recognizing your abundance. It’s about seeing what God has entrusted to you—not as something to hoard—but as something to steward well and share. It’s not about draining your resources but about using the overflow to make a difference. And in practicing joyful generosity, you align your heart with God’s. He delights in cheerful givers because their giving reflects His own generous, abundant nature.

Again, what matters is not the size of the gift but the size of the giver’s heart.

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© Dr. H 2024