Remember the Widow's Offering
Scripture Reading — Luke 21:1-4
"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others." Luke 21:3
Several years ago when I visited my hometown, my former grade-school principal stopped by to talk. He told me that he recalled seeing my mother walk through town at times to bring something to a needy family. When I expressed my surprise because my family could hardly make ends meet, he said, "I know. She gave out of her poverty."
In almost every church you can meet people like the widow in Luke 21, who, according to the Lord Jesus, give out of their poverty. Some of them have hardly enough for themselves, but it never occurs to them not to give. No public buildings will ever be named in their honor, but Jesus says they may well be giving more than people who donate thousands or millions of dollars out of their wealth.
Some believers will never lead worship, chair a committee, or pray in public. But many faithfully pray each day for the needs of other people, send cards, make visits, and do other helpful things. Few are ever acknowledged or recognized--except by the Lord. He sees people like the widow who, while giving out of her poverty, gave more than others. And someday the Lord will commend them before those of us who often get recognized because we are in the limelight now. All of us are called to give according to what we've been given.
Lord, thank you for the many believers who give out of their poverty. Bless them, O Lord, and help us all to give generously for your sake, knowing your great love for us. Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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