Not How Much, But How Much Of What I Have

Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” [Mark 12.41-44]

We are responsible for what we have, not what we don't have.

This is clearly seen in Jesus' discussion about the poor widow in the passage above.

It comes down to percentages, doesn't it?

Perhaps that is why the tithe is so fair and revealing. My ten percent and your ten percent may be a different monetary difference, but if we both "tithe" our contribution is exactly the same.

In the case of the widow, it would appear she gave more than a tithe though! Jesus said she gave all she had. That sounds like one hundred percent to me!

There is definitely something here for us to meditate upon. Our question to ourselves should not be "How much am I giving?", but rather, "How much of what I have am I giving?"

Father, I see a need in my life to be more aware of what I give - not how much, but instead, how much of what I have.