What can a widow who gave two coins teach us? Well, quite a bit.
You are probably familiar with the story of the widow’s mite. In Luke 21:1-4, we find Jesus and His disciples watching the rich place their gifts in the temple treasury. More than likely, the disciples were impressed with their generosity. It was numerically great. But Jesus looked past the rich and noticed somebody else—a widow who only gave two coins. Jesus said it was this woman who gave more than anyone else.
So, what does Jesus want us and those in our church to learn from this widow?
Lesson #1: God sees your sacrifice.
There may be times when you feel as if God is completely oblivious to the real cost of your generosity.
But, the story of the widow’s mite teaches us that God sees your sacrifice. He looks through the crowd and notices you. When your giving seems insignificant compared to others, you don’t need to worry. God sees your sacrifice.
The story of the widow’s mite teaches us that God sees your sacrifice. He looks through the crowd and notices you.
Lesson #2: The amount sacrificed supersedes the amount given.
A person can give a numerically significant amount of money. But numbers do not matter to God. He owns it all anyway.
Whether numerically much or little, the money was already His to begin with. In God’s economy, amount sacrificed always supersedes amount given. In the story, Jesus was not nearly as concerned about what was being placed in the temple treasury as what was still left at home. This is why Jesus pointed out that the widow gave all she had. Her sacrifice could not be matched by the rich. And the sacrifice is what mattered.
In God’s economy, amount sacrificed always supersedes amount given.
Lesson #3: Biblical generosity requires trust in God’s promises.
The easiest thing for the widow to do was to hold off on giving. And no one would have blamed her. She needed those two coins. But the widow opted for obedience instead. She put God first in her finances.
But the widow opted for obedience instead. She put God first in her finances.
Such a decision shows her faith in God and His promises. And the same is for you. Do you believe that God will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)? Do you believe that God will care for you (Matthew 6:26-30)?
We can learn a lot from a widow who gave her only two coins. Her generosity challenges our generosity. Are you and those in your church only able to give numerically little? Remember, God sees your sacrifice, and amount sacrificed supersedes amount given. Trust in God’s promises. This is biblical generosity.