Poor In Body, Rich In Heart

January 18, 2021

And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

~Luke 21:1‭-‬4~

Jesus tells many parables and stories about the kind of faith that is within certain people, that God loves to see. A special kind of faith that says "I have lost so much, yet all I have I give to You Father." This is exactly what the poor widow was doing as she put her two small coins into the offering box for God. As the Lord watched the rich give abundantly to the offering box He knew it was because they had plenty to give, yet this woman only had two coins and left nothing for herself. The rich had plenty leftover for themselves, the widow gave all she had because her heart was pure. She had that kind of unwavering faith that knew no amount money on this earth could fill her like God could. The Lord shows us time and time again how we are to put Him first, others first and ourselves very last. This is what He did for all of us and we are to model it. This woman lost so much and yet still gave all she had left. Would the rich folks do the same had they suddenly lost most of their riches? Would they out of the kindness of their heart give all they had to a God they could not even see? This woman did. Jesus tells us because of this, she gave far more then those who gave physically more. This reminds me of Cain and Abel. The Father favored Abel and was displeased with Cain. It came time for these men to place their offerings to God; "And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord . Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering."

(Genesis 4:3‭-‬4)

Cain was offering something he had an abundance of, Abel offered his firstborn of his flock, a very special offering. Notice the signicance to Abel's offering and God's offering to us. Abel's firstborn was precious and without spot or blemish. God's firstborn was His only Son without sin. When we understand how important it is to sacrifice whatever we have for God no matter the cost we walk in true faith. "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks." (Hebrews 11:4)

Abel gave out of faith and his love for God. We all know how that turned out for Cain. He became enraged with jealousy as God favored Abel for his righteous offering. Our hearts reveal all that we truely stand for. Do we truely believe that God is who He is even when we have lost it all? Do we praise God only in the good times? This widow praised in the worst of times, just as the Lord's servant Job did when he had everything taken from him as well. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." (Job 13:15)

All Job had left to give as his offering was trust and love for God no matter how pained he was feeling, he never gave up on his faith, it was all he had left.

Jesus tells us to lay up treasures in heaven rather then on earth, for here things will only pass away but things of the kingdom are eternal and the thief cannot steal your riches of heaven. (See Matthew 6:20)

The main point Jesus makes in the gospel is to have faith. Without faith, we cannot believe. Without faith, we cannot receive. Without faith, we do not rely on God.

Time and time again during Jesus' ministry; before healing took place faith activated their ability to receive. "And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” (Luke 8:48)

Others became afraid and lost trust causing the Lord to confront their lack of faith. "But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

I could list many more times the Lord spoke these same words to all kinds of people He ministered to. Faith is important. Without it, we lose what Jesus came for. When we sacrifice all we have for the Lord and say "even though this is all I have, it is Yours," we claim it by faith just as Abel, just as Job, just as this widow did. Our riches come from heaven when we give our livelihood to Christ. "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

We follow Him to our exaltation in our appointed time, until then let us walk by faith and truely love the Lord. For He searches our hearts, He knows our motives. He knew this of the rich folks and He knew it of this poor widow. "I, the Lord , search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings." (Jeremiah 17:10)

All that we have we shall give to Him, for He gave His only Son's life for us to live eternally and free; His true livelihood was placed on a cross and given as an offering for the world. Let us also be willing to sacrifice anything we need for Jesus Christ, especially when it seems we have nothing left.

Prayer:

Gracious God, thank you for Your faithful servants who lived with righteous hearts so that we can read about them and build ourselves up as they did. I want to give all that I have for You Lord as You gave all that You had for me. There is no greater love than this. Thank you for Your sweet offering, so precious; without spot and blemish. Help me to focus on living my life in divine faith that activates all of Your spoken promises. I declare all You have done for me is fulfilled and nothing can or will change that. It is by your mercy and grace I am alive today. It is by Your blood I am redeemed and set free. I never have to wonder or be afraid for You are with me. Praises and glory to the Highest for showing me truth and leading me to the way of righteousness! I am forever Yours and wish to grow from faith to faith, glory to glory. In the Name of Your precious Son, Jesus Christ, my King. Amen.