I recently reread the powerful little story in Luke 21:1–4—the one about the poor widow who dropped two small coins into the Temple collection box. It’s only a few verses, but it holds one of the most profound lessons Jesus ever taught about generosity and the heart behind it.
“While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus said, ‘this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.’”
— Luke 21:1–4 (NLT)
What are some lessons we can learn from Jesus’ insight?
1. God Measures Generosity by Sacrifice, Not Amount
The wealthy people were giving big gifts—but only out of their surplus. It didn’t really cost them. The widow gave two tiny coins, but it was all she had to live on.
Jesus saw something that others didn’t: her sacrifice. Her gift wasn’t about the amount—it was about the heart behind it. In God’s economy, the value of our giving is not measured by how much we give, but how much it costs us to give it.
2. God Sees What Others Overlook
Most people probably didn’t even notice the widow. Her coins made no noise in the offering box. But Jesus noticed.
That’s encouraging for all of us. The world often celebrates the wealthy, the large gifts, the public generosity. But God sees the widow, the humble servant, the unnoticed act of obedience. Nothing escapes His eye.
3. Giving is an Act of Trust
This widow gave everything she had to live on. That’s radical. Why would someone do that?
Because she believed God would take care of her.
She wasn’t giving out of guilt or obligation. She was giving in faith—declaring that God, not money, was her provider. That’s a high level of trust. That’s worship.
4. Faithful Giving Often Looks Foolish
Let’s be honest—if a financial planner had been nearby, they would have told her, “Keep your coins. You can’t afford to give.”
But God’s ways are not our ways. In the world’s eyes, her gift made no sense. But in heaven’s economy, it was priceless.
Some of the most profound acts of faith look foolish from a worldly point of view—but they shine in God’s eyes.
5. It’s Always About the Heart
This story reminds us that giving is never just about money. It’s about the heart. The widow’s gift was a symbol of a deeper reality: her heart belonged fully to God.
Jesus isn’t asking for all your money. But He is inviting you to trust Him fully, hold nothing back, and give with a heart of love and faith.
A Final Thought
If you’re like me, you sometimes wonder if your small acts of service or generosity really matter. This story is a reminder that God sees it all. He sees the heart, the sacrifice, the love, and the faith behind even the smallest gift.
And sometimes, what feels like the smallest act can be the biggest gift in the eyes of Jesus.
