Explore The New TestamentSample

SAY WHAT? (What is the passage saying?)

• The story of the widow's offering makes it clear that it's not the amount we give, it's the sacrifice we make. A rich person may give a lot, but it really doesn't impact his life because he has so much. A poor person may give much less, but it significantly impact his life because he has so little. God is looking for true sacrifice motivated by true love for him.
• Bible scholars see two possible interpretations of verses 5-33:

1. Jesus was referring to a literal event. This event happened years later, in 70 AD, when the Roman Empire squashed an Israeli uprising, resulting in the destruction of the Temple. 
2. Jesus also may have been speaking of when he will come back to earth someday. The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again, this time not as a human, but as God in all his glory, to end the world as we know it.

• It could be easy to look at Jesus' discussion of the end of the world and be filled with fear. But Jesus says not to worry, because he promises that those who are persecuted will be given the wisdom needed to handle their adversaries. 

SO WHAT? (What are the underlying principles?)

• God wants more than our pocketbooks; he wants our hearts. Our financial giving, and everything else we do, should be motivated by love for God.

NOW WHAT? (How will you personally apply this passage?)

• When do you find yourself failing to trust God and stay focused on him? When that happens, we need to:
  • Confess what we’ve done (or failed to do) to God and someone close to us.
  • Ask for forgiveness.
  • Commit to being changed by God into the person he made us to be.