BIG GIVING WITH GOD'S MATH

LUKE 21:1-4  NKJ 
21 And He 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; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”  

This passage reveals a truth we often do not focus on near enough.  It's the way God sees our giving and how He gauges the amount.   

Jesus was watching how people were giving and what they were giving.  The rich gave their gifts followed by a poor widow.  Widows were often the most financially challenged group of that time.  With no government support and no husband to provide, they were often in bad shape financially.  Even today, we are encouraged to look after the widows.   

This widow put in two small copper coins.  But Jesus said she put in more than all, even the rich, with their big gifts.  How can this be? The rich gave out of their abundance; they had plenty to give from.  The widow gave even though she was poor and gave all she had.   

Evidently, God looks at percentages.  If a man has 100,000 dollars and gives one thousand, he has given less than the one who has one thousand dollars and gives one hundred.  One man gave 1%, and the other gave 10%.   

APPLICATION 

You don't have to wait until things get better.  You can give to God out of what you have.  And you may be giving more than the richest person you know.  We don't usually have the full picture, but God sees, and He sees with a different perspective.  So smile.  You may be the biggest giver in the church.  Aren't you glad for God's math!