Mark 12:41-44

⁴¹ And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴² And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. ⁴³ And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. ⁴⁴ For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Jesus was intently looking at the treasury box and observing as people started putting money to be given to the temple. He saw some putting large sums and he noticed this widow who put tow small copper coins in the box. I could imagine Jesus looking at what we give and at our heart.

He knew this was a teachable moment for the disciples and He called the twelve to Him and told them what He saw. Many people give out of their abundance but the widow gave out of her poverty. It wasn’t that giving out of your poverty was better – but the widow gave sacrificially than those who are rich.

So does God look at the amount? Yes.

As this text said, Jesus was watching them put money in the box. He then mentioned the proportion of the money being given – whether it was out of abundance or out of poverty.

This story teaches me to give with all my heart. Not to give out of excess, but to give sacrificially. To live my life not trying to acquire more to feel more secure but to give more to His kingdom and cause.

Lord, may money be a tool of worship and not a source of idolatry for me. Amen.