“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” – Mark 12:30 (KJV)
Jesus sat in the temple one day and saw many rich people casting their gifts into the treasury. He also saw a poor widow casting two mites. Jesus said, “…Truly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all” – Luke 21:1-4 (NKJV).
For those who may have wondered if Jesus was not seeing right, He explained: the others had given out of their abundance, while she, out of her extreme poverty, had cast in all she had.
We often limit sacrificial giving to monetary contributions and think that if we tithe or give offerings when our finances are low, we are just like that woman. Nothing is wrong with that train of thought, but let’s dig a little deeper.
Let’s think of a few other things that the poor widow cast in with those two mites:
- She cast in humility. It can be very intimidating to think that what you bring to the table is less than what others bring. She brought it anyway!
- She cast her faith. Faith that the God she was showing her love to was able to provide for her, even in her lack.
- She cast in her hopes and dreams. Do not for a minute think that there may not have been other things she could have done with her two last mites.
- She cast in her love with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. That is what Jesus saw that caused Him to say she had made the greatest contribution.
Beloved, when we offer a smile, a hug, or an encouraging word to someone else when we ourselves are hurting, we are casting in our two mites.
When we offer our time to sing, dance, visit the sick, or whatever ministry we find ourselves in, knowing full well that we are not the best but are willing to do our best, we are casting in our two mites.
When we continue to love with a pure heart, we bring all our livelihood and cast in our two mites. God will bless us.
Prayer
Dearest heavenly Father, our love can never equate to Yours, but with all our hearts, we bring it anyway for You to mould us! Please accept our offering in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Read: Hebrews 13:15-16; 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 25:1-7; Mark 6:30-56; Exodus 31; Exodus 32; Exodus 33:1-6