How is Our Giving?

 N.T.#639 "How is Our Giving?"

Sept. 26, 2025 

Luke 21

LET IT GLOW

Does our giving please God?

Jesus had no more than a week to live when He enter Jerusalem in His Triumphant Entry. He spent His last few days in the Temple praying, observing, and reflecting. He reflected on values, what was precious in the kingdom of God. Then He spoke of the future of humanity. (Swindoll)

Jesus was watching the rich people drop their gifts in the collection box in the Temple. He sat in the Court of the Women, where 13 horn-shaped receptacles collected the freewill offerings of worshipers. (Deut. 16:10-11) Then along came a poor widow who dropped in two small coins. 

What do we know about her?

• She apparently looked poor. 
• She was a widow, maybe of older age.
• It sounds like she loved God and was a faithful Jew giving her offering.
• Her offering was a sacrifice, giving all she had to give.
• Jesus noticed her she gave everything she had, out of her need. (I wonder if she needed those two coins to buy food for that day.)

LET IT GROW

It appeared that the widow had given next to nothing (1/100th of a daily wage). Yet Jesus said she had put in more than all of the rich did. They gave out of their surplus; she gave out of her poverty. The wealthy showed little dependence on God, since they gave out of their excess. The widow gave of her livelihood, showing her great reliance on God as her source of blessing and provision. (Tony Evans)

How is our giving?  How is our dependence upon God to provide?

LET IT GO

Is anything more valuable than serving God and giving to His kingdom work?

Are we a cheerful giver?