February 19, 2026

Biblical Financial Principles XII - Giving to God: The Freewill Offering II

Bible Reading: Mark 12:41-44

Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

Memory verse: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper 1 Corinthians 16:2a (NKJV)

Message

Today’s Bible reading teaches several more truths about the freewill offering. Firstly, Jesus appears to have deliberately sat in a place where he could watch the people putting money into the treasury. This tells us that God is interested in our giving. Secondly, notice the language used, ‘saw how the people put money into the treasury’. It does not say, ‘saw how the people put their money into the treasury’. In the same account in Luke 21:1, the Bible says Jesus, ‘saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury’. This means that the money we consider to be ours actually belongs to God and has been entrusted to us. We, however, decide how it is spent, which is why it is our gift to God. Thirdly, the poor widow gave ‘out of her poverty’ and she gave despite there being an abundance in the treasury. This means that poverty is not an excuse not to give to God and God expects us to give regardless of what is already in the treasury. Finally, our memory verse teaches us that God expects us to be intentional and regular in our giving. We should also give in proportion to ‘how we may prosper’. 

Prayer: Father God, I receive wisdom and grace to manage every treasure You have entrusted me with, in Jesus’ name.

Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 15-16