And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.” Luke 21:1–4

Who has ever done this, dropped a whole paycheck into the offering plate? Not me.

On second thought, many have, in choices to give up professions to serve as a missionary or to enter seminary, or to have and raise children. Or to take a stand that will lead to the loss of everything. To “give” that which costs you nothing is like giving away old clothes to clear your closet for the new ones you just bought.

The question is are we giving until it hurts? In everything we might do that would equate to giving to the Lord—time, treasure, talent—there needs to be a twinge of pain. If there is no pain, there is no sacrifice.

In a relatively comfortable life, it’s hard to find oneself in a position that to give will cost us. Do we seek these out? Are we crazy? The finger points back at me.

Each one of us knows what kinds of things we’d rather not do because they will be uncomfortable, inconvenient, or redirect funds away from some craving we might have. If we’re constantly justifying our actions and attitudes before God then there are therefore opportunities where we can dig deep and give in the same manner the widow did. Perhaps try it in one little area. Take some baby steps.

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Luke 6:38