The poor widow: Giving God our best

The Christian understanding of giving has been misconstrued severally to satisfy the whims and caprice of some church leaders across the world. In fact, I have heard of stories of people who went to borrow money from others in order to pay certain quotas given to them by the church as a fundraiser. Do we need to borrow in order to give? Does God delights in bountiful offering or offering given from the heart? What’s principles govern money, wealth management, stewardship and accountability? Answers to some of these questions can be found in my book, PRINCIPLES OF KINGDOM FINANCES. You can grab your copy from Amazon or reach out to get a copy. This post will focus on a widow who gave two copper coins in the temple. This story is quite striking because Jesus shifted the attention of the people to understand a principle of giving in God’s kingdom.

He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. (Luke 21:2)

This incident took place in the temple. The woman in question was described as a “poor widow”. Jesus was in the temple and as He looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury (Luke 21:1). Imagine the weight of the gifts from the rich. You would have expected Jesus to stand up and give them a standing ovation for putting a lot into the temple treasury. However Jesus’ attention was drawn to one person’s giving. In the midst of the show of affluence in giving, one bold woman walked and did something that Jesus commended. Jesus saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins (Luke 21:2). Remember, the giving of the rich and the poor happened at the same time. As Jesus saw the rich put in their bountiful offering, he also saw the poor widow put in two very small copper coins. I am sure that the onlookers would have fixed their eyes on the rich people offering in admiration while the offering of the poor widow would have been scorned at heart. Remember, Jesus did not reject any of the offerings. He drew the attention of the people to a profound truth they had missed because of their myopic understanding of giving.

In a surprise turn of events, Jesus said to the people, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others” (Luke 21:3). Imagine the shock on the faces of the people. What! They just saw the poor widow drop in only two very small copper coins but the rich dropped in large sums of money. I can imagine the face of the rich givers. How dare Jesus compare their huge offerings to those very two small copper coins? The widow herself might have been surprised that her two small copper coins were considered more than what the others had put in. In her heart, she was thankful she could give, but I also imagine her praying silently to God to give to her more so she can give. Inwardly, she knew that all that she had to live and survive were those two copper coins. She had dropped in all that she had and was going back home with none. But, all that she had were two small copper coins. Probably not even a tenth of the offering offered by the rich. The people might have been confused with such a comparison from Jesus.

But, Jesus did not end there. He went ahead and said, “All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:4). This statement clarified why the poor widow was commended. The bountiful offering given by the rich was out of their wealth. The rich did not leave the temple wondering where their next meal will come from. It is possible that the giving didn’t affect their bank statement. Neither were they concerned about how that money will affect their financial situation. Jesus NEVER said that the rich sinned in the way they gave. Jesus’ interest was to reorient the people that giving God our best is not in the quantity we give but the heart behind it. The poor widow could have sat down just to admire the rich give their offerings but she took an extra step to be a giver as well. She wasn’t perturbed that her giving was small. She wasn’t shy to give. She didn’t allow societal perception about giving to rid her of her blessings. Her focus wasn’t to get man’s applause, her focus was to give to support the work of God. The poor widow might have left the temple fulfilled and blessed knowing that her two small copper coins were acceptable to God.

So as we go to the house of God, each should give what has been decided in the heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Cows of Bashan: Women who oppress the poor and crush the needy

The book of Amos records the prophetic utterances of Prophet Amos, a man from Judah (Southern kingdom). Amos’ messages were delivered in Bethel, in Israel (Northern kingdom). Although the king of Israel was not happy with the messages of Amos, yet, they were recorded and preserved. Amos admonished the people that their vain and vile lifestyles were stirring up an oppressor for them. The people focused on themselves and oppressed the vulnerable. The rich were so rich and the poor were extremely poor. There was no mercy and compassion for the vulnerable poor and needy. In Amos chapter 4, the attention is set on the wealthy women of Samaria.

Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, “Bring us some drinks!” (Amos 4:1)

Chapter 4 begins like this: Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, “Bring us some drinks!” (Amos 4:1). This single verse points out several character flaws of the women of Samaria. Before we identify their flaws, it is important to note that the Prophet compares these wealthy women to COWS OF BASHAN on Mount Samaria. These were well fed cows that grazed on a well-watered land. By referring to the wealthy women of Samaria as cows of Bashan, Amos considers their state of life (not their size!) and how they live a carefree life full of wealth. The women were so content that they demonstrated laziness and selfishness. The character flaws included the following:
Oppression of the poor
Crushing the needy
Overindulgence in food (Bring us some drinks!)

Their husbands were not spared either. These wealthy men seemed to sponsor their wealthy wives and provided them with “drinks”. On the other hand, the poor and the needy remained vulnerable and they were susceptible to pain inflicted by the wealthy. The indulgence of these women led to their judgement from the Sovereign Lord: “The time will surely come when you will be taken away with hooks, the last of you with fishhooks. You will each go straight out through breaches in the wall, and you will be cast out toward Harmon” (Amos 4:2‭-‬3). The warning from Amos and the different prophets who ministered to the people did not change them completely. The people of Israel were later carried into captivity to return no more. Those who remained there had other foreigners sent to live among them. Ultimately, their worship was affected, their lifestyle was affected and by the time of Jesus, the people in the South did not even want to associate with the Samaritans.

The wealthy women of Samaria were opposite to the virtuous woman discussed in Proverbs 31. The Proverbs 31 woman cared for and provided for the poor and needy. She is hardworking and does not lazy about. Her husband is also diligent and handles important matters of the city.

In the 21st century, although some women are still vulnerable to societal discrimination and other marital abuses, there are also women living their lives like the women of Samaria. Such are wealthy women who care less about all others but go all out to oppress the poor and the needy.

Dear woman, we have the grace to make the world a better place. Be intentional to bring positive transformation wherever you are. Be proactive, be willing to care for others, be loving and be a woman of good virtues.
Dear man, be willing to support that woman in your life to make her better in all areas of her life. Don’t just provide “drink”, provide spiritual support, provide mentorship, provide the needed environment for equipping her for excellence.

Ruth picked leftover grain but found favour

Have you ever received love, care and attention from a stranger? If you ever meet someone whose random act of kindness changes your life for good, you would definitely be overjoyed. Whenever we receive a blessing we least expected, we show our gratitude. However, there are others who duly deserve to be recognized for their actions. But, they remain unnoticed. Imagine if someone organizes a surprise party for such people, their joy would be endless. From the previous posts, Ruth, the Moabite woman, followed her mother-in-law to Bethlehem. As a foreigner residing in Bethlehem, Ruth was susceptible to all sorts of racial discrimination. Her people were in the bad books of the Israelites and although she has shown kindness to Naomi, she might have lived in caution for fear of being rejected by the Israelites. 

And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” (Ruth 2:2)

Ruth knew that to survive in Bethlehem,  she needed to work. Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. Though Naomi didn’t own a barley field, Ruth knew that she could go into the fields and gather the leftovers. Leviticus 23:22 and Deuteronomy 24:19 commands the Israelites to leave the harvest that falls on the ground for the poor and the foreigner. Therefore, “Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” (Ruth 2:2). By requesting to go out to look for food, Ruth demonstrates his willingness to serve and to provide for herself and Naomi. She could have chosen to do anything but as a virtuous woman, she chose to pick leftover grain. She identified that she and Naomi were poor and she, being a foreigner,  might not easily find something else to do. 

Ruth humbled herself in order to survive and to provide for Naomi. Picking leftover grains was not a desirable task. You need to accept your need for food to make you stoop low to the level of the poor and the foreigner. Ruth was not concerned with the stigmatization, she knew that their survival depended on that leftover. God being so good, Ruth found herself in the field of Boaz, a relative of Elimelek.  She was well received by Boaz who told her, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.” (Ruth 2:8‭-‬9). Boaz’ act of kindness didn’t go unnoticed. Ruth bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” (Ruth 2:10 NIV). Boaz made Ruth aware that she duly deserved to be recognized for what she had done. 

“Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” (Ruth 2:11‭-‬12).

Ruth’s selflessness was noticed by Boaz. She was given priority treatment on the fields and gathered about 13 kilograms of barley that day. Even Naomi was amazed when she saw how much Ruth gathered. When Naomi heard that Ruth worked in the field of Boaz, she said, “The Lord bless him! He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead. That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers.” (Ruth 2:20). Ruth didn’t just go to any field but the field of a close relative, one who could redeem Naomi and her. Boaz was not an ordinary person. He was a man of standing. He commanded power and wealth.

As we continue the discourse on Ruth, know that God’s plans are bigger than ours. We learn from today’s story how an act of service led Ruth to the right field and the right person. God desires us to be serviceable. The way to the top is from the bottom. Even airplanes are powered from the ground. Acceleration is dependent on the power exerted from the ground. Going down prepares one for the exponential take off. You go down to serve, not to be served. Christians should be willing to serve as much as we can. Whether you serve your family, your employer or the church, know that everything should be done with God in mind. You might be at your lowest point today, but remaining there is an option. You can choose to stay back and do nothing or move to the fields and gather grains. Your destiny helpers might be out on the fields as well. As we step out to attend to our daily activities, may we meet that person whom God will use to change our stories. 

Kingdom giving: Jesus saw the two very small copper coins

I have experienced instances where people have felt compelled to contribute to a godly course. Such people go all out to donate even when their financial status is not so good. I used to wonder what drives people to be generous when they are poor? From scriptures I realized that God is as pleased with the contributions of the poor as much as He is pleased with the rich. Therefore, we should not allow ourselves to be rid of the blessings that come with giving. God sees everything and He knows the heart that is sincere and the heart that is giving as a show-off. Even if men do not accept your contributions, God does.

But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.(Mark 12:42)

Jesus showed us an example of giving out of your all. Mark’s gospel records that Jesus was in the temple and 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.” (Mark 12: 41-44). Jesus does not disapprove of the giving of the rich. He acknowledges the fact that the poor widow put in everything she had and her generous giving was two small copper coins. 

Are there times you felt that you did not give enough to God’s work even though you gave out of everything you had? I have experienced such seasons. There are times that we gave out of all we had and I still felt it was not good enough. The truth is, God sees the heart behind our giving and He appreciates it. Until we all understand that using our money for eternal purpose is godly, the rich will continue to be rich and the poor will continue to be poor. God’s universal principle of giving applies to both (Luke 6:38). We shall consider this divine principle of multiplicity in a later post. Never feel unworthy to use your money to contribute to the work of God. Your few cents is able to make a big difference!

Do you ever stress about not having enough money to support God’s work? Instead of worrying about what you do not have, give the little you have and God who sees the heart and the intent will reward you for your faithfulness.