As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4)
Our Feature Friday Discipline is the Discipline of Stewardship. Stewardship is unfortunately often limited to discussions about tithes and offerings but it obviously encompasses a whole lot more. God is interested in everything He has allowed us to steward (time, talent, treasure, loved ones, etc.), and He deserves to be trusted with everything when we consider His great love for us.
In the passage for our consideration today it is obvious that Jesus was impressed with the poor widow. When Jesus is impressed with someone I think we should pay attention. Please prayerfully read the passage above and answer today’s questions.
Today’s Questions for comments:
- What does the action of the poor widow say about her view of God?
- In your view why is stewardship important?
March 27, 2015 at 7:05 am
What does the action of the poor widow say about her view of God?
Obedience to God was a priority. Participation in worship was important. His work, fulfilled through the temple was important and she wanted to participate.
In your view why is stewardship important?
Our stewardship life shows our true belief about who our source is. If all we have , in time, talent and treasure is from God and not our own we will manage our resources so God would be pleased. Stewardship is a reflection of our heart’s state.
March 27, 2015 at 9:10 am
What does the action of the poor widow say about her view of God?
That God is worthy and deserving of recieving ALL of what she has and who she is. In a sense her action depicted the giving of her life for the cause of Christ – that which is expected of all of us.
In your view why is stewardship important?
Stewardship is important because it’s a powerful witness to the world about our confidence in our Lord. Our attitude and behavior towards our possessions reflects whether we believe they are to be handled as we please or handled in a maner that reflects that God has entrusted our possessions to us glorify him and we are accountable to him, if we don’t. The manner in which we handle our possessions allows us the opportunity to also show the world how one lives who is grateful to a God for all that he gives for he gives it to us for our good. We are to treat our possessions, in one sense, as we would if we borrowed something really valuable from a friend and are committted to use it for it’s purpose and return it to them without having devalued it in anyway. This wasnt the best analogy for something so significant as the focus of our discussion but I hope it provided at least a glimpse of what I was getting at. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof… Psalm 24:1. Let’s remember that whatever possession God has allowed us to have….is His. We must use it for His purpose/glory. The best way to accomplish this is to use it according to his instructions/guidelines. I have painfully learned that wasted resources and opportunities (misuse of $$$, mistreatment of a friend, spouse, child, employee) causes much displeasure to the Lord and serious losses to me. Wasting resources/opportunities is sin and has required my repentance and asking God for other opportunities. The widow’s action reminds me to “give” all I have to the Lord allowing him to guide me how to use what I have for his purpose.
March 27, 2015 at 10:00 am
The widow’s view of God was in direct contrast to the rich as they presented their gifts to the Lord. On the one hand she recognized that she could not sustain herself even with all her efforts but trusted that the God who she loved could. On the other hand the rich were convinced that they were quite capable in sustaining themselves and added to their list, token gifts to God. She trusted God for her continued sustenance while they trusted in themselves.They were both driven differently in their stewardship.
Stewardship remains a clear opportunity for us to demonstrate how much we trust God and to honor Him with whatever He allows us to have.
March 27, 2015 at 10:20 am
I don’t know what the widow was thinking. She obviously gave, even though she was aware that she was in need of the money she was giving. I think she viewed God as a provider. She wanted to be obedient to furthering God’s kingdom through her giving.
I think stewardship is very important. As far as I’m concerned, everything I have I got from God anyway. So, when I give, especially to my church, it is a pleasure knowing that I’m just giving back to God a portion of what he has generously blessed me with in the first place. I know what the money is used for and I’m more than happy to give to the kingdom of God.
If there comes a time when God chooses to bless me in excess financially, I look forward to being able to not only give more to my church, but to also give to others in my path who need a financial blessing.
March 27, 2015 at 12:01 pm
I am in agreement with all the comments thus far … very illuminating.
For me the most compeeling reason for stewardship is that my talents, abilities and possessions are better utilised when entrusted to the Lord that when I use it for my own benefit. I have a before and after view as proof. The confines of my own world view is too narrow to make the most of what I have, therefore I need something bigger than myself to stretch and enlarge my world view.
GOD does not require anything from us that we are not willing to give freely. Therefore tithing is not so much about giving 10% of earnings as required by many churches – but giving cheerfully according to your own conscience.
Therefore the story about the widow is about the spirit of giving – a cheerful heart, entrusting her cares unto the Lord and her great faith that she would give all she had. Whereas the others were likely giving a contrived gift based on a percentage as they are required to do under the Law. Which attitude of giving shows greater love?
March 27, 2015 at 12:02 pm
*compelling
March 27, 2015 at 10:22 pm
Thanks commentators – I really look forward every night to reading and re-reading your comments. Today your comments reminded me of a conclusion I reached a long time ago. If you can examine someone’s calendar and their cheque book (or credit card statement) you will have a fairly good idea of who they really are. Your stewardship truly is a reflection of what you believe.
March 30, 2015 at 5:54 am
What does the action of the poor widow say about her view of God?
She was focused on God, with a reverent fear, an not on herself, either her need or her futility. It would have been so easy for her to say to herself either i) I need this and can’t afford to give it away, or ii) what good is two mites compared to the riches of others being ‘given’. To avoid thinking either of these ways, she had to have been in love with her God, and with a healthy reverent fear of Him – simply focused on Him and her part in her relationship with Him. If only we could live each day that way.
Why is stewardship important?
To remind us of the only right and true perspective, the reality, that He is the centre – the source, the purpose, the all encompassing all of everything and therefore of our everything. Recognising and living this way is also the ultimate witness of our lives.