How Much Is Enough?Sample

How Much Do I Give?

Have you ever wondered why God asks us to give money back to Him? Or even to one another? Like, does He even care? Does He need our money? 

The answer, of course, is that He does not need our money. He owns everything and has no need for money. But what does He want, then? 

It has to do with our hearts. God is not judging our outer appearance, He’s looking at our hearts. And so often, our hearts and our cash are pretty closely tied together. 

Watch this video with a story from the Bible about a woman who gave so much that even Jesus Himself took notice.

Two tiny coins from a woman with no husband—and, due to customs of the time, basically no way to earn her own money. And Jesus stopped what He was doing to talk about her gift? 

Remember, it’s not about the size of the gift you give. God isn’t impressed by the amount you give. He’s impressed and moved by what it cost you. He’s watching your heart. 

Does the story mean it’s bad to keep your money and buy what you need? No way! Absolutely not. But it does show that God isn’t impressed by people who make a fancy show out of giving out of their extra money to others. It does show that He notices our hearts. It does show that there’s no such thing as “too small” when it comes to giving. And it does show that God notices our sacrifices for Him—even when people don’t.

Ask yourself: Why does giving away money sometimes feel scary? 

Challenge yourself: After you read the two reports of the widow and her giving from Luke and Mark today, write down something important you’d like to give some money to help with today. If you have some money, even if it’s just a small amount, ask your Mom, Dad, or caregiver if they can help you give. If you don’t have money, ask for help to make a plan to give when you can.

Pray: God, thank You for helping me understand that it’s not the amount I give that You care about­—it’s how I give. Help me to give even when I feel like I don’t have much to give. Help me to be happy when I give, just like the woman I’m reading about in the Bible today. In Jesus’ name, amen.