Remember the widow: The importance of giving when it hurts

Times are tough. Not only are we mostly trapped in our homes, not only are grocery store shelves shockingly bare, but many of us have lost jobs or are working reduced hours. Money is tight. And it seems like we sometimes have different expenses – even greater expenses.

Jesus’ view of generosity

We are hurting financially, but so are our churches. Without the physical gathering on Sunday mornings many of us are forgetting to give. Or maybe we just don’t have the spare cash. After all, money is tight, right?

Just recently, in reviewing the events of Holy Week, I was reminded of the incident of Jesus watching the temple offering (Mark 12:41-44). He saw many rich people putting in large sums of money. Yes, they looked so generous, but Jesus said the rich were not being generous in God’s eyes. The rich only gave out of their extra. They gave what they could not use anyway.

In contrast, Jesus also saw a poor widow. She only gave a couple of small coins, but Jesus said she gave more than all the others. Why? Because she gave all she had – all her cash for buying needed supplies. When times were tough, she kept giving. She gave everything.

The cost of giving

Giving should never be about how much we can spare. If we found giving easier when times were better, then maybe we were never giving the right way. True giving costs us something. It is joyously sacrificial.

Look at what generosity cost God.

Right now, I am certain your church wants you to buy food for yourself and your family. If you need help, your church will help you. No church is asking for you to give up all you have to live on.

However, we can learn a little from the poor widow. If she were living today, would she stop giving because the church isn’t meeting in the building? Would she pause her giving just because church feels like it’s on pause? Would she stop giving because it takes a little extra effort to remember to give? Would she stop giving because her only options were giving online or mailing in a check?

Or would she consider the extra effort part of the cost – part of the gift to be gladly and generously given?

Our normal lives have been disrupted. In this upheaval, let us not forget to be generous. Give to coronavirus related causes. Give to the poor and the vulnerable. But also, do not neglect the ministry of your local church.

Remember the widow.

Randall Curtis serves as the Rhode Island regional coordinator for the Baptist Convention of New England.