The Ultimate Giver

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on.”

– Mark 12:43-44

For centuries, Christ-followers have given a portion of their resources to the church to help achieve God’s purposes on Earth. And if you’re a committed giver, you’ve probably discovered that you can’t out-give our Creator. We might one day feel led to help a neighbor pay his electric bill or buy him a bag of groceries. And then a few days later, we might ourselves be blessed through an unexpected promotion at work or a surprise check in the mail. God’s example is a powerful incentive for Believers of all economic levels. After all, he wants us to trust in him — not money — as our provider:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding,” we read in Psalms, “in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

But when it comes to our money and possessions, it really does boil down to trust. We trust God with our eternal salvation. However, do we trust this same God to provide for our daily needs? Christ-followers are called to serve as his hands and feet to feed the hungry, heal the sick, and house the homeless. So, by making generous giving a spiritual habit, we become more like Him — and all while helping to change the world for the better.

This principle sounds fine in theory — particularly when our bank accounts are full and there’s plenty more on the way. But how does it apply to those of us with only modest financial means? 

In the Gospel story known as The Widow’s Mite, Jesus pointed toward a poor woman who literally gave her last penny as her offering. And since she gave out of her poverty, her small gift was much greater in God’s eyes than the vast amounts offered by rich worshippers. We can see that the widow — although poor — took the initiative and made the most of her gift. Likewise for today’s Christ-followers with few resources, giving takes humility. What’s more, it requires discipline and trust. Just because we have less than others, it’s no reason to turn our backs on God. 

Whether our bank accounts are big or small, our generosity brings joy to others. It also moves our focus from ourselves and onto the recipient. And it's a needed reminder that ultimately, all provision comes from God — The Ultimate Giver.