Mark 12:41-44 says, “And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.'”
In this scripture there are several clues about money, the heart of man, and God. In the first part of the scripture we find that God observes how man gives his tithes and offerings. He is not too concerned on what man gives but how he gives. We can see in Genesis 4:2-4, that man has known to give to God since the beginning of time. It was a natural instinct given by God. God has also observed man’s heart concerning giving since the garden as well. Cain and Abel brought God offerings. Cain brought an offering and God refused it. Abel brought the first fruits of his sheep and it was accepted. Cain did not bring God his first fruits. He brought God an offering out of his surplus. In some sense this gives us an indication that Cain was giving his offering out of duty instead of honor and love toward God. To Cain, God was an after thought. Abel gave God the firstborn out of his herd. His first love was not in natural things but in honoring God. In this scripture, the woman had almost nothing, yet she knew to put her money in God’s treasury. Her hope was in God and not in her money or situation. Her love was not in poverty but in an invisible Kingdom. She didn’t allow the mentality of poverty to rule her heart on how she gave. She had put her whole life into the hands and care of God. Her trust was not in material things or even her surroundings. Her heart was in heaven and wherever your heart is, there is your treasure. She was seeking first the Kingdom of God and knew that things would be added to her. Man doesn’t have to give because he is in poverty and needs something from God. He also doesn’t have give out of pressure because he has riches. He gives because his first love is in God. Give where your heart is. Give to God.