It's a Heart Thing

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus challenges His listeners' way of thinking and doing everything. If someone wants to sue you to take your shirt -- let him have your coat, too. If someone wants you to walk a mile, walk with him two miles instead. And the famous Sermon on the Mount wasn't exactly the kind of sermon where anyone would want to sit in the back row or even think about sleeping through. The meek will inherit the earth? To the Pharisees, Sadducees and even us, it seems more likely  that the people who really inherit the earth are  the movers, the shakers and those who everyone knows will stop at nothing to be successful.
 
The story of the widow's mite in Mark 12:41-44 challenges our thinking even more. The way we tend to view the value of common currency is not quite the way God sees it.

 
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.” (ESV)

This account challenges us in two ways. First, we see that Jesus made it a point to watch the offering plate. When no one else sees our giving, He does. He also sees our heart. Second, God's value system is much different than that of most people. Our gifts born from love and sacrifice are, to God, worth more than those gifts born from obligation or pride.

Before you give this Sunday or any other day for that matter, take some time to personally assess why you're giving.  Are you giving out of your love for God? Or is it more of an obligation that you feel you have to do to avoid that guilty feeling?

 (“…God loves those who are happy to give.” 2 Corinthians 9:7c  (ERV))