“As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 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 21:1-4

Why are we convinced that the most important thing about what we do for God is how BIG it is? Could the problem be that our focus is on what we do instead of why we do it? 

In Jesus’ day, a lot was made of the amount someone put in the offering plate or the buzz that was created when the rich showed up give a little money to God. Jesus instantly declared that the hero of this story was the poor widow because she gave all she had to the Temple treasury. The amount she gave was no big deal but the heart behind her gift is what Jesus was commending. Obviously this woman gave out of her intense love for God, a love that was so great that she gave all she had.

So what’s the next step?

• Check the WHAT and the WHY when it comes to the things you do to show love for others. Is your love convenient or is it sacrificial? Do you do things to be noticed or to make a difference in the lives of others?
• Always look at the love you show to others in Jesus name in the light of eternity. The bigness of what you do is not important. Everything, big or small, when done with the right attitude is pleasing to God.
• When you take on a ministry project or go on a mission trip ask yourself if what you are doing is all about you, or are you getting involved because you really want to show Jesus’ love to others.