Luke 21:4

CHRIST’S STANDARD OF GIVING

‘For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.’

Luke 21:4

Observe—

I. How keenly our Lord observes the things that are done upon earth.—‘All things are naked and opened to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do (Hebrews 4:13). He measures littleness and greatness by a very different measure from the measure of man. Events in our own daily life, to which we attach no importance, are often very grave and serious matters in Christ’s sight.

II. Christ’s standard of liberality.—He would have us know that some persons appear to give much to religious purposes who in God’s sight give very little, and that some appear to give very little who in God’s sight give very much.

III. Our use of the money God has given us will have to be accounted for at the last day.—The ‘Judge of all will be He Who noticed the widow’s mite.’ Our incomes and expenditures will be brought to light before an assembled world.

Illustration

‘Let us beware of lightly using the expression, “giving our mite,” in reference to giving money to religious or charitable causes. The phrase is often employed without thought or consideration. If people would “give their mite” really and literally as the widow gave hers, many would have to give far more money than they ever give now. Her “mite” meant something that she gave with immense self-denial, and at great sacrifice. Most men’s “mite” nowadays means something that is not felt, not missed, and makes no difference to their comfort. If all people gave their “mite” as the widow gave hers, the world and the Church would soon be in a very different state.’