Read: Luke 21:1-4; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

“What’s wrong?” Dad asked Sylvie after junior youth group. “Did something happen at your meeting?”

Sylvie sat down at the table where Dad was cutting vegetables. “It’s Melissa again.” The two girls had known each other for years, but they were not friends. “I got there five minutes late,” Sylvie said. “The only empty chair was in the front row by Melissa. It was fine until the youth leader handed me the red bucket.”

“What’s the red bucket for?” Dad asked, rolling his wheelchair to the refrigerator.

“That’s how we take the offering. We start a red bucket in the front row and pass it around. Our class also committed to giving extra this fall so that at Christmas we could buy gifts for needy families in the area.”

“So what happened with the red bucket?” Dad asked.

“Well, when I checked my pocket, all I had was thirty-five cents, so I popped it in the empty bucket and passed it on to Melissa. She saw my few coins and burst out laughing. Then she threw in five dollars and said loudly, ‘We should put Sylvie’s family on the needy list.’”

Dad cringed. “Honey, I’m sorry I didn’t have cash to give you your allowance this morning.”

“This isn’t your fault, Dad. I know things have been tight since your accident. I’ll give more when I can.”

Dad smiled. “That sounds like a story from the Bible. Can you guess which one?” Sylvie shook her head.

“It’s the story of the widow’s offering. The widow quietly gave all she had. It was only a few cents, but she gave it gladly. The wealthy Pharisees boasted loudly about their big offerings, though they could’ve given much more. The thing is, God cares about the heart of the giver, not the gift.”

“So it’s okay that I only put a little in the offering?” asked Sylvie.

Dad nodded. “When Jesus saw the widow give the little she had out of love for God, He said she gave more than anyone else. I’m sorry Melissa embarrassed you, but it’s your heart that matters to God, not how much you give. He loves us so much that He gave us His Son, Jesus, and He wants us to give to Him out of love too.”

–Teresa Ambord

How about you? Have you ever felt embarrassed because your offering seemed small compared to what others gave? It’s not the amount you give that God is concerned about—it’s your heart. When you give to God out of gratitude for the love He has shown you, you are giving the same way the widow did. So don’t give to impress others; give because God gave His Son out of the love He has for you.

Today's Key Verse: Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: God loves givers more than gifts