GIVING

“1 AND HE [Jesus] LOOKED UP and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,
2 AND HE SAW ALSO A CERTAIN POOR WIDOW PUTTING IN TWO MITES.
3 SO HE SAID, "TRULY I SAY TO YOU THAT THIS POOR WIDOW HAS PUT IN MORE THAN ALL."
Luke 21:1-3 (NKJV)

Giving in God's sight is different from how we, humans, view it. Jesus' comment on the two mites given by that widow shows us the view of God on Giving.

It is not the quantity or abundance of what you give that matters to God, but how sacrificial it is? How much do you have left, after you have given?

The widow in this passage gave all her livelihood, she had nothing left with her after her Giving, thus, Jesus adjudged her as the best Giver; that is, she gave more than everyone else in that place: "THIS POOR WIDOW HAS PUT IN MORE THAN ALL" (Luke 21:3).

Whatever you sow, you will surely reap: "DO NOT BE DECEIVED, GOD IS NOT MOCKED; FOR WHATEVER A MAN SOWS, THAT HE WILL ALSO REAP" (Galatians 6:7 NKJV).

Thus, cultivate the habit of Giving sacrificially and cheerfully (2
Corinthians 9:6,7). The subject of Giving is becoming controversial now, especially on the social media platforms. Some claimed whoever is giving in order to receive back from God is being
transactional. But God Himself said whoever gives should expect a return (Luke 6:38).

In fact, God did challenge the people of Israel when they were lagging in building His temple when they returned from the captivity. He said the reason why things have not been going on well with them materially and financially is because of their unfaithfulness in the matter of building His temple (Haggai 1:3-11). He said they should take notice of it, from the time they started giving for the building of His temple, what would begin to happen in their lives and undertakings—farms (Haggai 2:18,19).

A similar challenge was put before the returnees, those who returned from captivity, about their faithfulness in tithing and offerings. God said they should prove or try Him If He would not bless If they did give faithfully (Malachi 3:10).

So, when a believer gives and expects God to bless or give back to him or her, it is not a sin, and It is not wrong. It is biblical. It is not transactional as some people say. When you give to God, it is
all right to expect God to bless you back or in return.

In conclusion: the emphasis of Jesus in our text is about being sacrificial in your Giving as a believer in Him. He was
commending the widow, though what she gave was not much or voluminous in quantity, but it was a quality and sacrificial Giving (Luke 21:1-3). Go and emulate that!

Think about it!
It is not the quantity or abundance of what you give that matters to God, but how sacrificial it is?

Peace.