I recently read a familiar passage, as I did, the Lord spoke to my heart. “Sometimes, the sacrifice speaks louder than the size of the gift.” He quietly said.
Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-45
We are all familiar with this passage of scripture. I have heard it taught more ways than I can count. Today, let’s look at it with new eyes.
Let’s just imagine this scenario for a moment.
Imagine you are at church, and it’s offering time. You are walking to the front to give your offering. Jesus, Himself, is sitting there, holding the offering plate. He is bold enough to watch each person as the come. He even takes note of the amount they give. It won’t do any good to fold the check, or try to slyly sneak it in. He sees everything.
Knowing He is sitting there watching, many give their biggest offerings. However, their biggest offering doesn’t really cost them anything, it is not a sacrifice at all. He is not impressed. Then one little lady comes and drops in some change, just a few coins. The jingle of the change echoes through the church. Some cringe in embarrassment for the elderly woman. Not Jesus. He is amazed at the wonderful gift she has just given.
He knows every single time a sacrifice is made! Not only does He know – but it captures His attention.
As a minister, I hear people all the time saying, “When I have this, and this come in, I want to give an offering to your ministry.” While they may be sincere. They are sincerely wrong.
The truth is, if we don’t give out of our lack, we will not give out of our abundance. Giving is not a money issue, it is a heart issue.
The truth is, if we have a heart to give, we will give a nickel if that is all we have.
I am often reminded of one of our partners who, years ago, sent change to our ministry. Just a few coins, taped to a paper. It was like clockwork. Every single month. As they came in, we prayed over their offering – knowing it was a sacrifice.
It wasn’t long before that same partner began to send a dollar bill. Year after year, the amount grew. This person is still a partner, they no longer send coins or dollars, they send a check each month.
What happened? God saw their sacrificial giving. Even more, He saw their heart. He blessed the seed and brought the increase. He is, after all, a God of increase.
God gives seed to one person…the sower. Only to the sower.
Jesus said in Matthew 25:23; His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’
What Jesus saw that day, when the lady dropped in her offering, was faithfulness. She was faithful in the little.
For one person, a dollar may be their very best offering. Or even a quarter. If so, that sacrificial offering captures the attention and the heart of Jesus! For another, a sacrificial offering may be $25,000. Every sacrifice captures the attention and the heart of Jesus!
Jesus said, the sacrifice speaks louder than the size of the gift. Today, may our sacrifices speak on our behalf! May our gifts capture the eyes and heart of Jesus. That is my prayer for you, and for me!
Meditate on this:
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16
