Do you like to talk about money? Do you discuss paying your bills? Do you talk about how much money you make? Is money a source of discontentment? Is it a source of embarrassment? Or do you think very little about money? How much do you put in the offering plate?
Money can be a very divisive topic for people. Throughout history, there was a large divide between the haves and the have nots. It has not been until the last couple hundred years that a middle class has emerged. It seems as though everyone is fighting for the almighty dollar.
Jesus talked a lot about money during His time on this earth. He even pointed out what it means to make an offering of money to God. As He was sitting within the temple grounds, He was observing what people were putting into the offering box when He witnessed a widow put in a couple small copper coins. To put that into perspective, it would be equivalent to about eight minutes of work for a day laborer. If a person was working for minimum wage today, she would have put in about 50 cents.
But the importance is not necessarily the small amount but the fact it was all she had. Think of a woman pulling out the last two quarters from her pocketbook and putting them in the offering plate. She had nothing else. She was trusting God to provide for her needs. This is an example of a very strong faith, for widows were homeless and destitute, unless they had a family who would take care of them in that patriarchal society.
We are called to walk in faith. We are to trust God in everything, which includes offering money to the church. Not only should we pray that God guide us in our offering, but we should pray for those who determine how the offering will be used. Pray that God guides those people to use the offering wisely and to support God’s work to expand his kingdom here on earth.
I pray we all seek God’s guidance for offering our money to him. I pray we make an offering that is acceptable to him. I pray each one of us put our faith in God, trusting him to provide for our needs. Give back to God. Give to the church. Ask God for guidance. Pray for those making monetary decisions. Trust God in all things.
Mark 12:41 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.”
Marty Pressey 