Measure of Giving
“He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury,” Mark 12:43
This verse shows us how the Lord sees giving. We know that just as He saw the offerings that day, and spoke about their worth, so He always observes how we give, and always weighs our gifts in the same balance. It is encouraging to note that just as the widow’s mite outweighed the rich man’s heavy coins, it is not the size of our offerings that make them either great or acceptable in Heaven’s sight.
The poor woman may have felt that her gift was so small that it was scarcely worthwhile to give, but in the eyes of the Lord, its value was very great. There are two scales weighing all human acts, and all human gifts and offerings. There are the earthly scales, and there are the “balances of the sanctuary,” which weigh spiritual values.
This was not only because her gift was proportionally larger – the rich still having much left after giving, and she had nothing left – but also because of her motive and spirit in giving. She gave because she loved God’s house, and wished to do her part in maintaining its ordinances. She gave humbly, not to be seen of men, but to honour God and win His approval. She gave also largely according to her ability, putting to shame the rich men who gave so much and yet had riches left.
Christ sees into the heart while we make our offering; and if our heart is right, and we give as we are able, and give out of love for God and desire for His glory, even the smallest offering that we can bring will be acceptable in God’s sight, and will win heaven’s commendation.
Gifts are not estimated in heaven by earthly currencies but by the heart in them.