Mark 12:41

Mark 12:41 says, And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.  Jesus sat and watched people as they gave to the treasury of the synagogue.   This was not so that He would know how much or little they were giving, but so that He could see their attitude in giving.  God still observes not how much we give, but our attitude in giving to the church.   Jesus observed that many who were rich gave much.  He did not even observe them to give just a little, but they were giving much.  It wasn't the amount given that was to be important, but again it was the attitude behind the giving.  As Christians, if we are abundantly blessed today, we may give a lot to the church, and I believe that God will know our attitude when we do.  We are not to give so that we can pat ourselves on the back for how much we give, nor for others to praise us and hold us in higher esteem, but we are to give by God's guidance.  Verse forty-two adds, And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.  Then, Jesus saw a poor widow come and throw in two mites, or very little in the view of the world.  Some poor people today are still willing to give whatever they can to God, even if it means sacrificing something they might need or want for themselves.  Verse forty-three continues, And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:  Jesus called te disciples and told them that the poor widow had given more than anyone else who had cast anything into the treasury. He had not called them to come and see how much anyone else, those that it said had given much, had given.  I believe we too often focus on the amount that someone gives more than their attitude while giving.  Verse forty-four concludes, For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.  Jesus said she gave more because she gave out of her need, that which she needed herself for her living expenses, but that others only gave from their abundance.  Those who gave much did not sacrifice any of their own needs when giving.  We need to ask which we are today.  Do we only give to God after we have gotten everything we want or need, even if it is much that we give, or do we give to God even if we have to sacrifice our own needs or desires?