In Luke 21, we read the story of the widow giving her two mites as an offering. Jesus says in verse 3-4, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.

I am convicted, challenged, and thankful for this passage.

I am convicted by this passage because how often do I live and give out of my surplus. Living in the United States, Orange County, California to be exact, I live in absolute abundance. I would go out on a limb to say that you do as well. Maybe you don't have the home your friends do, or a new car, or the newest phone. But think about it....you have a home, you have a car, and you have a phone. You and I are better off that probably 95% of the world. And we live in this idea that is thrown around that you can never have too much stuff and you can always have more.

I am challenged by the woman's heart in this passage. She loves the Lord so much that she literally gave everything she had. She didn't worry about what she didn't have,but what she did have she offered to the Lord. I think it can be easy for us to dwell on the things that we don't have and use that as an excuse for why we don't give it to the Lord. It's not enough or it's not good enough. The Lord isn't asking for an amount or something that is in perfect condition that you wouldn't need to be ashamed of it. He's asking for your heart to be His and fully His. And when it is, we will give like this widow gave. Out of the abundance of love that flows from our heart because of our relationship with Jesus.

I am thankful for this passage because it reminds me that it is never about what I have or how much I have. Whatever I have, it is always better in the Lord's hands than it is in mine. I'm thankful for the reminder that when we give, it should be a reflection of our hearts gratitude for all the Lord has given us and blessed us with.

If all we had was Jesus and nothing else, would that be enough? It's easy to say yes, because we know we should. But if you didn't have the security of the things you have in your life right now, would we be okay? Of course we would, but it's easier said than done.

As I read Luke 21 I am reminded to give as much as I can. Not just money, but time and love and grace and mercy. We should happily give because of what has been given to us.