Many have asked to know how best to thank God. Some want to know what to give to impress God during thanksgiving. Preachers and Bible teachers have suggested multiple ways to give God thanks. Truth is, every thanksgiving to God impresses Him when the thanksgiving is from sincere and pure heart. God is never impressed by the quantity or quality of things we bring to Him for thanksgiving. Many servants of God have caused their members to bring “tear-leather cars” (Nigerian English). Documents of landed properties, bales of new wrappers and foreign dresses, to name but few, to thanksgivings for the great things God has done for them. It will be amazing if everyone who bought most expensive gifts to God during thanksgivings did so from their pure hearts. From Jesus’ story of the “Widow’s Mite” in Luke 21: 1 – 6, we can deduce that great offering for God is from the heart.
Back to the Widow’s mite story, many wealthy and rich individuals were giving larger gifts for the offering. But Jesus noticed the Widow who dropped two small copper coins into the treasury. Jesus said the Widow gave the greatest as she gave all she had. Many fund raisers in churches have used this parable to pull out the last currency from people’s pockets or bank accounts. The hidden truth in the Widow’s mite is that the Widow gave all she has and from a cheerful heart. This devotional is not debunking theological view that said the two small copper coins given by the Widow represent two testaments which is faith and grace. The devotional is building on the mind behind the giving. Apostle Paul said in 1 Cor. 9: 7 that God loves a cheerful giver. If your thanksgiving offering is not from a cheerful heart forget it all.
In the physical, the Widow was very poor. The two small copper coins were all in her house. She had the courage to empty her safe and brought what she had and offered them to God. She was not seen by Jesus squeezing her face indicating anger. She gave out of joy because she did not hide the offering in her palm as many Christians still do today. She gave cheerfully because she could give out something after all. She was not pushed out by any Usher but willingly stood and moved towards the altar. She gave from all she has and all she is without any pretext. This is what good thanksgiving ought to mean!
PRAYER:
HOLY SPIRIT, how can I give offering or thanksgiving that could near that of this Widow? I need your help Holy Spirit of the blessed Trinity. Give me a heart of a godly giver in Jesus name.
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch