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The Widow's Authentic Gift - Monday, 11/17/2025

Scripture: Luke 21:1-4

"Truly I tell you," 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."

Jesus sat watching people bring their offerings to the temple treasury. The wealthy made impressive donations — large sums that drew attention and perhaps some admiration. Then came a widow with two small copper coins, worth almost nothing by worldly standards. But Jesus stopped everything to point her out.

Why did her gift matter more? Not because of its size, but because of what it revealed about her heart. She didn't give from surplus or security. She gave from trust. Those coins represented everything she had to live on, and she released them because she knew her identity wasn't tied to what she possessed. She knew whose she was.

The wealthy gave out of obligation or image management. The widow gave out of identity. She understood something profound: authentic giving flows from authentic loving. When we truly love God, we trust Him completely. We don't calculate. We don't hedge our bets. We give because it's who we are — children of a generous Father.

Reflection Question: Do you give from your surplus or from your trust? What's the difference in your heart when you give?

Action Step: Give something today that costs you something — your time, your attention, a resource you were saving. Notice how it feels to give authentically rather than conveniently.

Prayer: God of abundance, the widow's gift challenges me. Help me move from calculated giving to trusting generosity. Teach me to hold loosely what was never mine to keep. Amen.