41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Jesus watches as people are putting money into the treasury. Some are putting money in the treasury out of their great wealth and some out of their poverty. Is the person who pays more money greater than the person who pays a greater percentage? But then it is a greater question of does it really matter?
Jesus would have us go one step further. It is not about giving a greater amount or a greater percentage. It is about giving our life. In Ezra, who are the more faithful, those who go to Jerusalem or those who give offerings? I am not going to judge, but Jesus tells us, "all she had to live on." She gave up her entire life for God, for the poor, or for a building.
Most people when they give offerings to the Church, do they give up their life? I can image people giving out of their responsibility. Others give out of their guilt. Some give out joy and happiness. I do not even desire to express how much a person would give out of each category.
God does not give out of responsibility. God does not give out of guilt. God does not even express giving out of joy or happiness. God gives out of Love. It is out of Love for God's Creation that he continues to preserve it. It is out of Love, God has given his only Son to die for our sins. It is out of Love, God offers us forgiveness and new life. God loves us and desires to take care of us, are we willing to let God Love us?
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