The Heart of Giving: A Matter of Motivation

In a world obsessed with material wealth and financial success, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters when it comes to giving. We often hear about generous donations from the wealthy, but is the size of the gift all that counts? A powerful story from the Bible challenges this notion and invites us to look deeper into the motivation behind our generosity.

Picture this: Jesus is sitting in the bustling Temple, it is His final week of ministry, and He is observing people as they make their offerings. The scene is set in a magnificent structure, with glare bouncing off silver and gold, capable of holding 15,000 people. Amidst the crowd, the rich are easily noticeable, casting large sums into the treasury. But Jesus' attention is drawn to someone else entirely – a poor widow.

This widow approaches the offering receptacles and drops in two small copper coins, known as "lepta." These coins were worth less than a penny, the smallest currency of the day. To most observers, her contribution would seem insignificant compared to the substantial amounts given by the wealthy. But Jesus sees something different.

Calling His disciples over, Jesus makes a startling declaration: "Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." (Mark 12:43-44)

This short passage carries a profound message about the nature of true giving. It's not about the amount; it's about the heart behind the gift. The rich gave from their surplus, after all their needs and wants were met. The widow, however, gave everything she had, trusting God completely with her livelihood.

This story challenges us to examine our own giving habits. Are we giving God our leftovers, or are we sacrificially trusting Him with our resources? The widow's act of faith stands in stark contrast to those who give only what they can comfortably spare.

But let's be clear – this isn't about guilt-tripping anyone into giving more money. It's about understanding that God looks at the motivation of our hearts. He's intimately aware of our circumstances and watches how we give, not just what we give.

Consider the circus strongman who could squeeze every drop of juice from an orange. When a skinny man managed to extract one more drop, he revealed his secret: "I'm the local treasurer for the Baptist church down the street. I know how to squeeze stuff out of folks." While humorous, this anecdote highlights a sad reality in many churches – the need to pressure people into giving.

True stewardship, however, shouldn't feel like something being squeezed out of us. Whether it's our money, time, or talents, our giving should flow from a heart of gratitude and love for God. When we have to be coerced into praising God or serving others, it's a sign that something is amiss in our spiritual lives.

The story of the widow's mite also serves as a stern warning against those who exploit the vulnerable in the name of religion. Jesus had just finished condemning the religious leaders who "devour widows' houses" (Mark 12:40). Any system of faith that preys on the desperate or promises wealth in exchange for donations is a perversion of true worship.

This message resonates strongly today, where we see TV evangelists and prosperity preachers amassing fortunes by manipulating the hopes and fears of their followers. Jesus' words ring true: judgment awaits those who use God's name to enrich themselves at the expense of the poor and desperate.

So, what should motivate our giving? It's not the expectation of material blessings or the fear of divine punishment. Our primary motivation should be the recognition of God's overwhelming generosity towards us. As the apostle Paul wrote, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)

God gave His only Son for our salvation. Jesus willingly laid down His life to pay a debt we could never clear. In light of this supreme act of love, our giving becomes a natural response of gratitude rather than an obligation.

Moreover, our giving supports the spread of this good news to others who haven't heard it yet. When we give to support our local church or missions, we're participating in God's plan to reach the world with His love.

The Bible provides us with a beautiful principle of giving in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

This passage emphasizes that giving should be a joyful, intentional act. It's not about meeting a quota or following a set of rules. It's about deciding in our hearts to be generous, knowing that our giving can make a real difference in the world and reflects our trust in God's provision.

As we reflect on the widow's sacrificial gift and God's immeasurable generosity towards us, let's examine our own hearts. Are we giving out of habit, guilt, or expectation? Or are we giving out of love, gratitude, and a desire to participate in God's work?

Remember, God doesn't need our money – He owns everything already. What He desires is our hearts fully devoted to Him. When we give sacrificially, whether it's our time, talents, or treasures, we're demonstrating our trust in God's faithfulness and our commitment to His kingdom.

Let's challenge ourselves to give in a way that reflects the widow's faith – not necessarily in amount, but in the spirit of complete trust and devotion to God. May our giving be an act of worship, a testament to God's goodness, and a reflection of His generous heart towards us.