Day 18: Give and It Will Be Given to You
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” –Mark 12:41-44
In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus illustrates the power of giving to his disciples. There are many wealthy people putting in some of their riches, which looks like a lot. Then, there is a poor widow who puts in a few small coins. While this looks insignificant, it is everything she has. Jesus sees her sacrifice and takes time to point it out. I think what Jesus is showing here is her willingness to give up everything. She is giving the control over to God, trusting in him to provide for her more than money can. What a beautiful, but very hard concept for us to grasp.
God tells us to put no other idols before him. I think many of us don’t even realize that we put comfort and control of our money over what God really wants for our lives. He wants us to give up control, trust in him to provide for us, and to put him and his kingdom as the focus of our lives, in every aspect. When it comes to giving of our money, and I think time too, we need to ask ourselves if we are really putting God and his kingdom first? Are we trusting God more than we trust what our money gives us? Are we giving to look good and check a box, or is it an outpouring from our hearts?
When we give as God wants us to, it is a blessing to our lives, to those around us, and changes who we are by what we are holding most dear. Let God transform our hearts to put him above all else.
Prayer
Dear God, we thank you for all provisions and blessings we have received. Everything good comes from you. We ask that you can use all we have for the good of your kingdom. Show us how we can give generously of our money, talents, gifts, time to honor you. Through your spirit give us the courage of the giving widow to be able to show your love to others through giving. Amen.
Josh and Brooke Bertsch have been married for ten years, have two beautiful children, and a sweet dog. Brooke is one of the leaders for the Mom2Mom group at Pathway and stays home with the kids. Josh is a business owner and dentist in northwest Fort Wayne.
Follow along with 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting by listening to the daily audio devotionals on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” –Mark 12:41-44
In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus illustrates the power of giving to his disciples. There are many wealthy people putting in some of their riches, which looks like a lot. Then, there is a poor widow who puts in a few small coins. While this looks insignificant, it is everything she has. Jesus sees her sacrifice and takes time to point it out. I think what Jesus is showing here is her willingness to give up everything. She is giving the control over to God, trusting in him to provide for her more than money can. What a beautiful, but very hard concept for us to grasp.
God tells us to put no other idols before him. I think many of us don’t even realize that we put comfort and control of our money over what God really wants for our lives. He wants us to give up control, trust in him to provide for us, and to put him and his kingdom as the focus of our lives, in every aspect. When it comes to giving of our money, and I think time too, we need to ask ourselves if we are really putting God and his kingdom first? Are we trusting God more than we trust what our money gives us? Are we giving to look good and check a box, or is it an outpouring from our hearts?
When we give as God wants us to, it is a blessing to our lives, to those around us, and changes who we are by what we are holding most dear. Let God transform our hearts to put him above all else.
Prayer
Dear God, we thank you for all provisions and blessings we have received. Everything good comes from you. We ask that you can use all we have for the good of your kingdom. Show us how we can give generously of our money, talents, gifts, time to honor you. Through your spirit give us the courage of the giving widow to be able to show your love to others through giving. Amen.
Josh and Brooke Bertsch have been married for ten years, have two beautiful children, and a sweet dog. Brooke is one of the leaders for the Mom2Mom group at Pathway and stays home with the kids. Josh is a business owner and dentist in northwest Fort Wayne.
Follow along with 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting by listening to the daily audio devotionals on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2026