“The Gospel writer, Mark, tells us that many rich people threw in large amounts, but a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins worth only a fraction of a penny. As Jesus watched what was going on, He turned to His disciples and said: ‘… this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.
That must have caused some raised eyebrows among the disciples don’t you think? By what law of mathematics does a woman who throws two small copper coins into an offering box give more than those who throw in large amounts? Jesus gave this explanation:
They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on.” Mark 12:44
Her giving was measured not so much by what she gave but by what she had left… it does introduce a whole new dimension into the matter of giving. When we give we need to focus not only on what we have given but also on what we have left.
Now, not only did Jesus sit over against the treasury in Bible days; He is sitting there still. But His purpose in sitting there, hasten to add, is not to criticize or condemn lout to help us evaluate the importance of our relationship to money. It is a solemn moment when we give of our finances with Him sitting beside us.”
Selwyn Hughes in Divine Mathematics: A Biblical Perspective on Investing in God’s Kingdom (Surrey, UK: CWR, 2004) 12.
Why celebrate divine mathematics on Christmas Day? Think about it.
Jesus celebrated because the widow held nothing back. That’s the message of Christmas. God did not hold anything back. Because of His great love for the world, He gave His one and only Son, Jesus.
And divine mathematics teaches us that we only keep what we give away.
The one who tries to save his life loses it. Only the one who loses his or her life for Christ’s sake, finds it. Notice that Jesus leads the way. He gave His life and rose again and became the source of our everlasting life.
So what did the widow gain that day?
Her generosity and obedience ensured that God would look after her Himself. We too can gain this. All we need to do is give like Jesus and the widow.
The safest place on earth is to entrust your life into God’s care.
It’s divine mathematics. The same math at work on the first Christmas. God did not lose in sending His Son. The widow did not lose in putting in everything.
Will you gain everything? Or lose everything? The choice is up to you.
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25