The One Time Your Offering Is Never Too Small

A couple years ago my youngest befriended an elderly lady in our local nursing home. We visited her a time or two, and on Valentine’s Day of that year my son decided to gift her with a little teddy bear.

Unfortunately, our friend moved to another nursing home out of town before we could give it to her, so we left it in the home for the staff to give to a lonely resident. 

The bear was nothing extravagant, but I’m certain it had a large impact on the recipient. Why? Because it said you are not forgotten, because it conveyed that someone cares, because it came from my son’s heart. 

How many times do you wonder if you are doing enough, giving enough, caring enough? How many times do you question whether your contribution or gift is too small? 

I’m a chronic doubter about the worth of my gifts.

But let me assure you: An offering is never too small when it is given from the heart.

Wrapped in love, the tiniest gift becomes a treasure. 

Wrapped in love, the tiniest gift becomes a treasure. Click To Tweet

But don’t take my word for it. Look at Scripture:

In Luke 21, we read of the poor widow’s offering of her last two coins to the temple’s treasury. Although small in comparison to what others were giving, her mites far surpassed the largest gift in meaning. “‘Truly I tell you,’ [Jesus] said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others'” (Luke 21:3).

How could Jesus say that?  Some of the offerings were most certainly extravagant.

But the widow’s gift dripped rich in meaning because “she has given everything she has.” In other words, she gave from her heart. 

That doesn’t mean God expects us to give all we have and live in abject poverty or volunteer all our time and never work for pay. Jesus is emphasizing that our gifts have meaning and impact based on the way they are given, not merely based on their size.

Don’t think your kind word or gesture or your “less-than-extravagant” gift is worth less. Not if you are offering out of the overflowing love you have for the Lord and the recipient. 

When you offer anything in love it will never be too small.

Because the biggest gift is the one given from your heart.  

The biggest gift is the one given from your heart. Click To Tweet

“The man replied…. ‘To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.'” (Mark 12:33)

Reflection: Do you have a story to share of a seemingly small gift that had a huge impact?

Linking with Lisa-Jo and 5 minute Friday where a crowd writes uninhibited for 5 minutes (or a few more) on a given topic. It is a wonderful exercise in letting the words flow. Click the button (icon) to check out more posts or consider linking up yourself. Today’s word is: “Small.”