“As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on’” (Luke 21:1-4).
This poor widow likely didn’t think that anyone would notice her offering of a few coins—certainly not when weighed against what everyone else was bringing to the temple.
Imagine her surprise if she knew God himself had noticed her and given thanks for her gift! Imagine her surprise if she were told that countless Christians would hear about her incredible gift of thankfulness throughout the centuries since she first gave it.
I doubt receiving recognition for what she did was even on her mind. That wasn’t why she put her two final coins into the temple treasury that day.
What was on her mind? Why did she give “all she had to live on?” What I wouldn’t give to sit down and ask her!
Putting the best construction on her actions, which revealed her heart, this woman showed an incredible sense of trust in God and thankfulness to him, didn’t she? She knew who her heavenly Father was (and still is)—a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows (Psalm 68:5).
He was the same God who had provided manna and quail for his people in the wilderness. He was the God who had provided for his weary, hungry, and oppressed children because he loved them. Had God not always done the same for this widow, his dearly loved child? More than that, had God not also promised in his Word to provide for her every spiritual need?
Does he not promise to do the same for us, dear Christian?
Maybe trust in God, which leads to thankfulness and generosity with the gifts you’ve been given, comes easily for you. If so, I thank God that’s the way you are!
If you’re more like me, perhaps your trust isn’t as wholehearted as you want it to be. Maybe you hold back more than you give for fear of what might happen. What if you’re left with absolutely nothing? What then?
Well, what then? Dear Christian, what an incredible comfort to be part of God’s family!
As brothers and sisters in Christ, it is our privilege and responsibility to care for one another as we can. It’s what we do because we know that the things we possess—even our lives—aren’t ours. They’re gifts from God, given freely and to be used generously for God’s glory. They’re gifts meant to be used out of thanksgiving to him for all he’s done for us.
If shame and guilt threaten to drag you down, consider this: A few short days after Jesus called attention to this widow’s offering, he would make an offering of his own on the cross on Calvary. That was for us. Jesus gave everything, even his own life, to rescue us from our sins, guilt, and shame. He gave everything to free us to live for him.
As Christians, our lives are rooted in the faith-filled trust of knowing who our God is. Our thankfulness and generosity start at the cross and flow from what Jesus has done for us.
Looking to introduce more thankfulness into your life? In 364 Days of Thanksgiving, through 26 uplifting devotions, you’ll be encouraged to write down one thing you are grateful for each day of the year. In doing so, you will begin to recognize God’s blessings in your life and can flip back to them whenever you need a reminder.
Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House. He has his Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation.