Ever feel like you’re running on empty? Feel like you have nothing left to give? Ever feel like what you have to offer is inadequate?
Me too.
Today’s reading in Luke 21 has some encouragement for us. Open your Bible and read Luke 21.
The first three little words in verse 2 are words of comfort.
“And He saw…”
Jesus saw the widow give her two mites. My friend, Jesus sees your giving. He sees all the work you do. He sees how much you pour into your family, your church, your work, your friends and neighbors. He is the God Who Sees (Genesis 16:13).
The widow gave only two small coins. This is amazing. We know these were literally the last two coins she had. She was completely impoverished. Yet, instead of keeping one for herself, she gave them both. Even if she had kept one, she still would’ve given half of all she had! But she gave it all.
To Jesus, those two meager coins were the most valuable fortune. He’s not really concerned about the amount we give. His interest is in the heart behind our giving.
“...God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).”
The widow gave sacrificially. She gave out of a position of poverty. It cost her everything to give this two-coin offering. God determines the value of our gifts by what they cost us.
The amount you give, the amount you accomplish, the amount you serve… that’s not as relevant to God as the heart behind your giving and serving. If you’re giving from a heart of love and worship to the Lord, and if you’re giving sacrificially, He is pleased – no matter how small your offering may be.
When I’m running on empty and feel like I have nothing left to give, I read the story of another widow in 2 Kings 4. She had nothing but a flask of olive oil. Elisha, God’s prophet, told the widow to borrow as many empty jars as she could, then to pour her oil into them.
Miraculously, her small flask of oil filled every empty jar she had borrowed! God turned the tiny amount she had into enough to exceed her needs. She was abundantly blessed.
And He can do the same for us. If you feel empty or like your offering is too small, ask God to fill you. He is faithful to provide everything you need to do what He’s called you to do.
He knows your heart. He knows you desire to give more. And in this case, “it’s the thought that counts” rings true.
