In this season of decisions such as what should I give to Aunt Betsy?  She always gives something to us.  How much should I give to the mission? The budget is tight this time of year.  Should I bake extra for the family who is struggling in our neighborhood?  My schedule is already pushed to the limit.  All the charities are bombarding us with end of year requests for their budgets. 

What is left to give?  Maybe we’re asking the wrong questions.

Luke 21, The Message

^1-4 Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate. Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, “The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!”

Jesus didn’t say she gave what she did not have.  (Credit cards were not in existence as they are today!)  No, Jesus observed her heart and said she gave beyond her own budget of what she could afford, trusting God.  She gave all she had in that moment in gratitude for all God had provided.  The poor widow gave all her heart to God in this decision to give her two cents.  This is giving extravagantly.  This act of gratitude touched the heart of Jesus.

The widow wasn’t thinking about how her two cents might help to build a new spiral on the temple.   She simply gave what she had as worship to her God.  She gave her all knowing that God will provide.   

May we give all as the widow gave with simply a heart of gratitude for the God who provides.  God gave His One and Only Son for us.  We give our lives back to Him.

All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live

All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
Make me Savior wholly thine
May Thy Holy Spirit fill me
May I know Thy power divine

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior

I surrender all
I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior

I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.”  Mark 12:30-31, MSG

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 God still searches for people like this widow who love and give their all to Him in grateful praise, not looking for anything in return.  God gives strength and help to all who give all.  That’s a promise.

Lord,

May I give all in Your Name for Your Glory with nothing held back.  I love you with all that is in me.

In Jesus Name, Amen