What are your thoughts
on generosity? The dictionary describes it as, "a disposition to give
liberally or to bestow favors; a quality of the heart or mind." Has there
ever been a time in your life where you can remember someone who appeared
to be more needy than you, whether emotionally, spiritually, physically
or financially, yet they were very generous to you? Pure generosity, giving
with no strings attached, doesn't come naturally! True generosity is a
gift from God, a response to His marvelous grace to us. Turn with me to
Mark chapter 12 and let's read through verses 41-44 where we'll find a
sincere example of such giving...
"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast
money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. [42] And
there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make
a farthing. [43] And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto
them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than
all they which have cast into the treasury: [44] 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."
The events of this story in scripture take place along the walls of the
court where there were receptacles into which the people dropped their
gifts. "Over against the treasury" vs. 41 says is where Jesus was sitting.
What was He doing sitting over there, I wonder? Our verse tells us Christ
was beholding how the people cast money into the treasury. Have you ever
done any people watching at one time or another? It is quite interesting
to say the least! You learn much about people when you sit and observe
them.... On this given day, there was quite a diverse crowd of people
present. What were Jesus observations as He watched the crowd?
The first observation we find Jesus made, mentioned in vs. 41 is, "many
that were rich cast in much." Can you gather anything about their motivation
by this description? These folk obviously made it very clear how much
was being given by their actions. Actions usually reveal the condition
of the heart, don't they? Back in verses 38-40 of Mark 12, we read how
Christ described these kinds of people. They loved to go about in long
clothing, loved salutations in the marketplaces, loved chief seats, loved
uppermost rooms at feasts, made long prayers etc. Quite a performance,
eh? I imagine it was quite entertaining to sit back and observe these
theatrical individuals give of their wealth in a public setting, a stage
set for their holy performance! What seemed to motivate these actors most
of all was to be seen by others, for they wanted their service to be widely
recognized.
The next observation that Jesus made is found in vs. 42 where the Bible
says, "And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites,
which make a farthing."
What a contrast is found here in scripture and observed by Jesus as He
sat over against the treasury! Amid this diverse crowd of people quietly
comes a poor anonymous widow, unnoticed by those around her as she humbly
drops into one of the receptacles her two tiny copper coins. Surely two
coins didn't make as much noise as two hundred and two being dropped in,
amen? Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is great if
given with true affection. Giving is the thermometer of our love... After
making her offering, she passed along unaware that anyone but herself
knew the measure of her gift and what it cost. However, Jesus observed
her generosity.... He realized the size of her service! As a matter of
fact, He called the disciples over and pointed out her significance unto
them in vs. 43,
"Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all
they which have cast into the treasury."
Certainly while Jesus was observing the giving of each person present
that day, He was also observing his disciples reactions to those that
were casting in much. What is your reaction to another person's elaborate
offering? Perhaps their mouths were agape and their eyes were bulging
out of their heads watching every theatrical deposit of coins that the
wealthy were making! Knowing their hearts, Christ wanted the disciples
to realize that you can't judge a book by it's cover.... Man has a tendency
not only to be impressed with, but to get caught up in the outward appearance
and actions of others when it comes to service, to giving, to generosity...
We "oooh and aaah" one another too much! You see, while we get caught
up in the show, our Lord and Savior sits back and looks BEHIND the giver's
actions and observes the giver's heart! God recognizes and places emphasis
on the motivation behind our generosity....
Matthew 6:1-4, "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen
of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
[2] Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before
thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that
they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
[3] But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right
hand doeth: [4] That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which
seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."
Why did the large amounts of money given by the rich people not impress
Jesus? What did the poor widow give to the treasury that made her gift
so significant in His eyes? Verse 44 says,
"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."
With human eyes, this widow's offering might seem small, but it represented
ALL that she had. If one has the spirit of true generosity, a pauper can
give like a prince to the King, amen? This poor widow had a disposition
to give liberally, it was a quality of her heart and mind. In her case,
there was nothing left after she gave! HOW she gave stood out to the Savior...
She gave looking upward before God - not outward toward man. She surrendered
her all that day considering that God's eyes alone would know of her offering!
Ladies, you are not to look at me, and I am not to look at you when it
comes to our service, our generosity, our giving. It should be our heart's
response to God's marvelous grace in our lives - an attitude of gratitude!
Jesus knew all about the widow and also the amount of her sacrificial
gift. He looked beyond the outward to the character within the heart of
the giver. It is character that makes you and I valuable, not the size
of our gift, - the character of Christ found in the motivation behind
our generosity! It is not only what we give, but HOW we give that counts
with our Savior who gave Himself for a lost world! Jesus alone can tell
what our generosity is born of, for He is the greatest giver of all time,
amen?! Take heed today... Beware you don't place too much emphasis on
recognizing generous acts and the size of them!
Consider today that your generosity is (and has been) observed by Jesus
too... How would Jesus evaluate your service today, dear lady? Is it pure,
like that of the poor widow? Or has it been like that of the theatrical
Pharisees? Are you making a big deal about the generous acts you've committed
lately? I'm not just talking about giving money today. I'm talking about
how much recognition you think you should get for the work you do around
the house keeping things running smoothly, raising the children, homeschooling,
helping out in various capacities at church etc. Has your generosity been
coupled with wanting to steal the show? Are you hoping to be credited
by man for your generous service, your impressive offerings, or are you
content that God's eyes alone are aware of your sacrificial gifts? You
see ladies, the Lord is not referring to those gifts that are easy for
you and I to give, but rather those offerings that cost us something personally.
This is what He is taking inventory of...
Proverbs 15:3 says, "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding
the evil and the good."
Beware of "artificial importance" ladies, for it will hinder the depth
of your generosity and the motivation behind your giving! God evaluates
your generosity based on your heart.... Does your attitude need changing
in any way? The widow surrendered all she had with one thing in mind -
only to please God! Take time to search your heart today and ensure that
your attitude and motivation are right when you give to others, as well
as to the Lord! He looks at the heart, and what our views are, in giving
alms; and whether we do it as unto Him, or only to be seen of men. Nevermind
what man may think, are you confident your giving can truly be commended
by God today?? If not, ask the Lord to help you grow in sincerity... Let
us never forget that Jesus still sees the treasury! He knows how much,
and from what motives, men give to His cause. Our Saviour commends this
poor widow, therefore we are confident that she did well and wisely. Is
that your testimony today? Perhaps you need to pray about specific ways
that you know you need to be more generous. May we be truly inspired by
an attitude of gratitude, of what we owe Him who redeemed us at such a
high cost and give as liberally and willingly as our Savior did!
Savior, Thy dying love Thou gavest me,
Nor should I aught withhold, dear Lord from Thee,
In love my soul would bow, my heart fulfill it's vow,
Some offering bring Thee now, something for Thee....
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
