While Jesus was at the temple, He sat opposite the temple treasury, where the people gave their offerings to God. Many rich people gave large amounts, but a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins worth only a few cents. Jesus called His disciples and said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." Jesus was teaching His disciples that it is not about how much they give to God, but the attitude of the heart is more important to God. The value of our offerings to God is in our hearts, not in the currency value. God does not need our money but wants our worship and adoration. Acts 17:24-25 says, "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of Heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else."
Human beings do not have enough to out-give God. God provides everything we have and owns everything, including our very breath. Religion thinks that giving an offering to God will bring us closer to Him, but relationship says that it is not about what we give but about our love and adoration to God. Our giving is always the expression of our love and worship. The widow showed how much she loved and worshiped God by giving everything she had to live on. She trusted God with everything she had and was thankful she could give. A long time ago, when I was still a student and didn't have much money, the Lord touched my heart to give every cash I had in my packet to the offering basket. At first, I was reluctant because that was my gas money for the week. The Lord was teaching me the value of giving. Am I willing to give sacrificially to express how much I love and trust Him? I thank the Lord that I was able to give and trust Him completely.
Our giving to God is not to get blessings from Him or get what we want from Him. Our giving is an expression of our love, adoration, and trust in our Heavenly Father. Our giving shows our appreciation for everything He has blessed and provided for us. When God sees our hearts that we give out of our love, adoration, trust, and worship, we bless His heart, and in return, He blesses us. We should give whatever God has put in our hearts.
Ask yourself these questions: What does God see when I give an offering to Him? What should be the attitude of my heart when I give to God? Why does giving an offering to God important?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, I acknowledge that you are the creator and giver of everything. I exist because you always sustain me with your air so I can breathe and live. You provide me with clothes, food, water, and everything I have, including my cell phone. With all the blessings you have given me, please teach and help me to give an offering out of my appreciation, adoration, love, trust, and worship, for you deserve everything in my life. You are my God and my Sustainer. In Your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.