Where Our Treasure Is

“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” Mark 43-44

Sometimes we do not give help, monetary or otherwise, because we are ashamed to give just a little. The poor widow that Jesus noticed one day in the temple shows us that it is not the amount we give, but what God sees in our hearts. He saw rich people giving out of their surplus wealth, but the poor woman gave out of her need. She gave her whole livelihood. 

God does not need our money, our time, our treasure. When our kids are small, and we give them something they really like, a chocolate bar, or a doughnut, and we ask for a little bit, sometimes they refuse. “This is mine,” they say. It’s funny because they would not have the treat if not for us. We are the source of all the chocolate bars and doughnuts and we can take it away. And if we really wanted, we could buy a whole car of candy for ourselves! We don’t need the candy, but sometimes we ask for some so our kids can learn to share and be generous and unselfish. 

Isn’t that exactly what happens with God who is the source of everything, every little thing we have? Our breath, our heartbeats, our intelligence, our money? In the Bible, He teaches us to be generous with our time, our money and resources, not because He needs it, but because it’s good for us. There are so many promises in the Bible that come with being generous. They are like blank checks to encash in the bank of heaven. Giving draws us closer to God for where our treasure is, that is where our heart is (Matthew 6:21). If we are faithful in whatever we have, even if it is a little, then God will reward us in heaven (Luke 16:11). Generosity brings God’s blessing, increases our happiness, expands our influence, and brings prosperity (Proverbs 22:9, Proverbs 11:24-25, 2 Corinthians 9:11a and so many more). 

We cannot take any of our money, our time, or any of our resources to heaven with us. If we buy clothes, shoes, or a fancy car for ourselves, we really lose all of it in the economy of heaven. BUT if we help someone in need, buy food for prisoners, give money to missionaries, tithe for God’s work, we do not lose any of that money. Instead we are sending it ahead for our eternity in heaven. Let us remind ourselves of Jesus’ own words in Luke 16:9, “Here's the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.”