Small Gift, Big Lesson
by Mike Killebrew
Have you ever given a gift that was deeply meaningful to you but didn’t get the reaction you expected? That happened to me one Christmas when I gifted each of my kids an ancient ‘widow’s mite’ coin. I loved it—but let’s just say their enthusiasm didn’t quite match mine. Gift-giving is not my love language. I enjoy giving meaningful gifts, but it doesn’t come easily to me. This was not the typical gift in the Killebrew home and ultimately not that popular when stacked up against other gifts they received. They were young, and an old coin just couldn’t compete with the excitement of a new toy or gadget. I enjoyed giving the gift, and I enjoyed reading Mark 12 and Luke 21 to them and making sure they understood the significance, but if I were to evaluate the moment truthfully… they were mostly bored with my well-thought-out gift.
But for me, the joy was in researching and choosing these gifts. It is fascinating that the smallest coin in ancient Judean currency is commonly known as the widow’s mite. Jesus made some observations about a widow’s offering, saying she had given more than all the others. Then, snap, from that point on, the Judean “penny” was rebranded! They were so commonplace in the time of Jesus that, in present time, even 2,000 years later, they’re relatively easy to find. You can find it on eBay and order one for a few dollars. Check it out and do a search for widow’s mite coin.
This month in BEncouraged, we are exploring the theme of Live Like Jesus through generosity and sacrifice. Jesus talked about generosity and sacrifice frequently throughout the Gospels, and God’s Word is full of instances where this topic shows up. The very concept of “gospel” is the good news that God is generous and sacrificial for us—for me.
I don’t know if any of you struggle with this, but I must remind myself of that basic reality frequently. It is such a good reminder—God has been generous with me, so I need to be generous with others. Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes, I’m stingy with my time, my money, and my stuff. In that sentence, there is a word that creates the problem in my attitude: "my," because none of it is mine. It’s all God’s, and I just get to manage it—hopefully in a generous and sacrificial way.
The story of the widow’s mite is a powerful teaching from Jesus. In Mark 12:43, after watching the offerings and seeing the rich throwing in large amounts, He watched the widow put in her two copper coins, worth only a minuscule amount. Then, “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.’”
She gave ALL she had. She was a generous manager and was willing to sacrifice. That word ALL challenges me to live generously and sacrificially. While I don’t believe Jesus is always calling us to give it all, I think He wants us to have that attitude.
So how do we develop a heart like the widow’s—one that gives generously and sacrificially? I’ve found that remembering three simple letters—A.L.L.—helps me keep the right perspective.
• A – Acknowledge that everything belongs to God. (Psalm 24:1 – "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.") When we truly recognize that everything we have—our money, our possessions, our time—is God’s, it changes our perspective. Instead of clinging tightly to what we think is ours, we can find freedom in knowing that we are simply stewards of God’s blessings, entrusted to use them for His glory.
• L – Live with open hands, not clenched fists. (2 Corinthians 9:7 – "God loves a cheerful giver.") A life of generosity starts with a posture of trust. When we hold onto things too tightly, fear and selfishness take over, but when we give freely, we reflect the heart of God and experience the joy of being part of His provision for others.
• L – Love like Jesus, through generosity and sacrifice. (John 15:13 – "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.") Jesus didn’t just talk about generosity—He lived it, ultimately giving His life for us. True love is shown not just in words but in action, and when we choose to love sacrificially, we become a living testimony of the Gospel to those around us.
Living like Jesus means embracing generosity and sacrifice—not just in grand gestures, but in everyday moments where we acknowledge that everything we have belongs to God. Whether it’s our time, our resources, or even a simple gift given with meaning, what matters most is the heart behind it. The widow’s mite reminds us that God values the attitude of our giving more than the amount.
What’s one area in your life where God is nudging you to be more generous? Maybe it’s with your time, your resources, or even a simple act of kindness. This week, I challenge you to step out in faith and give—not out of obligation, but out of gratitude for all that God has given us. Let’s be generous managers, willing to give with open hands and open hearts, trusting that God can do immeasurably more with our surrender than we ever could on our own.
