Exploring Transformational vs. Transactional Generosity
In the past, I have wondered if my giving really matters. After all, it is so little compared to what some can give. There have also been times when I have struggled financially and decided not to give because it was such an insignificant amount (through my eyes). I thought, “Why bother? It’s not like God needs my money. He owns everything.”
Lessons from Mark
Then I stumbled onto this set of verses found in Mark 12:41-44
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
I was stunned to learn that this widow that could only give a few cents was considered faithful to Jesus. This seemed so contradictory to what I had thought about giving to God.
How could giving a few cents result in greater faithfulness compared to those people throwing in substantial amounts?
The Significance of Sacrificial Giving
Let’s take a look at t second part of this passage from Mark again: Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43-44
When I look at this verse, a key phrase stands out to me as a clue to the answer, “she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
I ask myself, “What would it take for someone to give everything they had to God?” One way to look at this question is from the reality of her situation. In today’s dollar, what she gave is equivalent to between .75 cents and $1.50. That’s enough to get you a cheeseburger off the dollar value menu, but nothing beyond your next meal. Her poverty already put her in a place of complete dependence upon God. I presume she had seen God’s faithfulness to meet her needs for each meal EVERY day, which led to take such a bold step of giving.
The Impact of Radical Dependence on God
What happens when you are forced to radically depend on God daily for your provision? I served in a full-time vocational ministry and was put in this place multiple times. After so many experiences like this, something begins to develop deep inside of your character and heart. Your faith grows as you see God’s faithfulness time-and-time again. Your courage also grows as you realize He will never fail to provide and meet your needs. This kind of courage leads to a willingness to abandon any reliance upon self and to completely depend on Him for everything.
Jesus is telling us that when we give with complete dependence upon Him the amount does not matter. The value of the gift in His eyes is irrespective of the total. It is all about the condition of our hearts when we give and how much we are relying upon Him vs. ourselves to provide.
Admittedly, I have robbed myself and God of this privilege in the past. I have let fear rob me of a radical life of generosity that is completely dependent upon Him. I want to be like the widow…how about you?