SACRIFICE

41 NOW JESUS SAT OPPOSITE THE TREASURY AND SAW HOW THE PEOPLE PUT MONEY INTO THE TREASURY. AND MANY WHO WERE RICH PUT IN MUCH.
42 THEN ONE POOR WIDOW CAME AND THREW IN TWO MITES, WHICH MAKE A QUADRANS.
43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU THAT THIS POOR WIDOW HAS PUT IN MORE THAN ALL THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN TO THE TREASURY [collection boxes];
44 for they all put in out of their abundance, BUT SHE OUT OF HER POVERTY PUT IN ALL THAT SHE HAD, HER WHOLE LIVELIHOOD."
Mark 12:41-44 (NKJV)

Much has been said about offerings in the church or the gathering of believers recently, It has come under a strong criticism. Some want to believe that offering should not be talked about or emphasized in a believer's gathering. In this piece, we want to look at Jesus' take or decision or finality on giving and how It should be done; since He is our perfect example—the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Jesus Christ sat down in a service, a believer's gathering, a church meeting, watching those who were putting money in the offering box or plate. He took notices of an indigent widow who gave two mites, two small coins, which make a quadrans (Mark 12:42).

Jesus in His observation and comment about the poor widow's act, said:
43 "ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU THAT THIS POOR WIDOW HAS PUT IN MORE THAN ALL THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN TO THE TREASURY [collection boxes]; 44 FOR THEY ALL PUT IN OUT OF THEIR ABUNDANCE, BUT SHE OUT OF HER POVERTY PUT IN ALL THAT SHE HAD, HER WHOLE LIVELIHOOD" (Mark 12:43,44 NKJV).

A number of things can be considered and learnt here:
I. With what is seen in the passage, It shows us that God, Jesus, was not against the giving of offerings in a believer's gathering or church meeting. Contrary to the views of some people who would not want to obey the Bible and say offering should not be talked about in the gathering of believers because It is less important. If It was less important, Why was Jesus observing those who were giving, and Why did He call the attention of His disciples to what the widow gave and commented on it? (Mark 12:43,44).

II. God pays attention to how much is given by individual believers. He knows those who give much as well as those who give less. If Jesus could see all that individual person in that meeting gave, God in heaven is observing the offerings given by every believer. Some people insult God through their giving, because He has blessed them so much, but when they wanted to give, they give sparingly or meagrely, as If God is begging for money (2 Corinthians 9:6,7).

III. God's assessment is different from human's assessment. Those who were considered to have given much by men or humans were considered to have given less by God. Jesus said: " . . . THEY ALL PUT IN OUT OF THEIR ABUNDANCE, BUT SHE OUT OF HER POVERTY PUT IN ALL THAT SHE HAD, HER WHOLE LIVELIHOOD" (Mark 12:44 NKJV).

What God considers in giving is the amount you have left after you have given. Jesus said the woman gave all her livelihood. Livelihood in Dictionary meaning: It means her living, her investment or capital, and her means of earning money. In other words, the poor widow gave all she had. She had nothing left after her giving (Mark 12:44).

What the woman did is a sacrifice! Others gave more than what the widow gave in terms of quantity but theirs was not a sacrifice. What they gave could be considered a dash, or a gift, or a tip, but not a sacrifice. Because they had abundance and still had much left after what they had given. Someone with a thousand dollars who gave five or ten dollars out of it has not sacrificed anything, that was a dash. But If three hundred dollars or five hundred dollars and above were given, that was a sacrifice. When you give meagrely or sparingly to God as If you are dashing money out to a beggar, you have not sacrificed anything:
6 BUT THIS I SAY: HE WHO SOWS SPARINGLY WILL ALSO REAP SPARINGLY, AND HE WHO SOWS BOUNTIFULLY WILL ALSO REAP BOUNTIFULLY. 7 SO LET EACH ONE GIVE AS HE PURPOSES IN HIS HEART, NOT GRUDGINGLY OR OF NECESSITY; FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER" (2 Corinthians 9:6,7 NKJV).

The woman was sacrificial in her giving. Humans may celebrate others who gave big sum of money but the widow in the sight of God was considered to have given more than they all; because she had nothing left after her giving—it was a great sacrifice to God (Mark 12:44).

God is not asking you to give more than what you have, but your giving should be commensurate or proportional—corresponding in size, extent, amount, or degree—to God's blessings on your life: "IF YOU WANT TO GIVE, YOUR GIFT WILL BE ACCEPTED. YOUR GIFT WILL BE JUDGED BY WHAT YOU HAVE, NOT BY WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE" (2 Corinthians 8:12 Easy-to-Read Version).

Be intentional about your Giving because you can only be blessed materially through your obedience to the principles of giving that are found in the Scripture, the Bible (Luke 6:38).
Peace.

Note:
a. I want you to follow us for more edifying content.
b. Endeavour to share this message. God bless you.