Giving to God

by Zeke Flores

Often, financially blessed people will give significant sums for worthy projects. Sometimes, it’s for charitable reasons, and sometimes, it’s for new, wonderful buildings for public use. And often, these buildings display the names of the contributors, letting everyone know who was responsible for the generous gift.

Luke 21:1-4 tells us that Jesus noticed a woman putting a gift in the temple treasury. Not only was she a widow, but she was a poor widow. While others put in offerings they would hardly miss, she put in everything, “all she had to live on” (Luke 21:4).

This anonymous woman didn't have a plaque to commemorate her gift, but that doesn’t mean it escaped the Lord’s notice. What a sacrifice of faith! That kind of faith didn't escape Jesus' attention because it's what He wants from us.

As difficult as it can be, God doesn't want (nor deserve) a percentage of us; He wants us to give ourselves entirely, completely, and wholly. With our time, talent, and treasure, we show our devotedness to Him: the One who gave Himself entirely for us.

"Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on" (Luke 21:3-4).