Your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6: 4
Jesus 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. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus 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.”
Mark 12: 41ff.
For the rich temple in Jerusalem the pennies of these women were not necessary. God had also no necessity. Yet it was important!
The woman did not want to do business with God: I give God what is possible, and He will give me what I need; – which is much more than I could give him. Jesus would have exposes such business-sense rather than praised. We know that, but we sometimes still behave that way, I give God my tithing, and for that He blesses me. This is a deal with God, not a matter of the heart.
I can only understand this way: The woman loved God and was grateful to Him. Since she had nothing, she gave everything she had. She did not think too much about tomorrow, had no fear and worry. She knew God, the carer, the helper and assister of widows, orphans and disenfranchised. Therefore, she could give, without thinking of herself or the morning. Her heart beat for God, because she knew God’s heart beats for her.
When we give, we should give it to God. Not out of calculation or compulsion, but cheerfully and freely. The money is no longer ours, but God’s. We should not demand accountability for it; even if it sometimes gets into dark channels (- if God allows it, maybe so that we become more humble?). We want no influence on decisions and no gratitude. We give it to God and not to men. Whether God we will refund the money or not, we do not think about it after. It’s a gift from us to Him. It would be best if we give almost automatically, without thinking. However, we are already thinking about who we give our money where it is useful, where it gains the most for God.
We also live in relationship with money and depending on God. We gave him our lives altogether with our wallet! We know God cares for us and not makes us fear and worry about tomorrow. He is also there tomorrow!
We want to have such a pure heart as this widow. O God, teach us!
Thank you, Jesus, that for you the little is important! You look into my heart and explore it. Please, make me small and humble, so I trust you more and more! Please, make my faith clear, pure and simple, without inner reservations and crooked thoughts!
Bible Reading Today: Philippians 1: 1 – 11