Wow! Such extravagant, abundant giving —and all wrapped up in just two small coins! It wasn’t much, but it was everything she had. So it was a lavish gift indeed. This widow made herself literally dependent on God’s care and provision for her life. Her offering probably seemed inconsequential to most of the people at the Temple that day. But somehow Jesus noticed it, and it delighted his heart immensely. He could see that this was the absolute best she could do, and that always pleases the Lord.
What have you given the Lord lately? Don’t worry if it’s not a lot. Remember: None of us could adequately repay him for the gift of our lives, our salvation, and his indwelling Holy Spirit. Nothing, that is, but our love and adoration, offered to him in whatever ways we can. God isn’t looking for massive amounts of time that we don’t have. He isn’t keeping an account of our cash to see if we are giving all that we have. What he really wants is our hearts.
So even if you can’t get out of the house or if you’re locked up in prison, even if you’re deployed to the remotest Afghan outpost or working two jobs to make ends meet, don’t fret! Give what you can to the Lord. If it’s five uninterrupted minutes for prayer, give it to him. If you have only a couple of minutes to read Scripture or only a trifle for the collection basket, give it to him. If it’s simply lifting your thoughts to him as you go through your demanding day, give it to him.
It may look like two small coins, but God rejoices over everything we give from the heart. We are created to love God with everything we have. The rest —what we do and what we give —flows from that love. For each of us, every day, what it looks like is different. A little bit, given with love, delights the Lord and is far better in his sight than a lot given begrudgingly.
“Jesus, I love you. Take my heart today, despite all its shortcomings. It’s the best thing I have to offer you.”
Daniel 1:1-6,8-20; (Psalm) Daniel 3:52-56