Giving When You're Broke: What the Widow's Two Coins Teach Us

“I’ll start giving when I have more money.” Many Christians say it, and it makes sense. But Scripture tells a surprising story about giving from little.

The widow’s two coins

Jesus sat in the temple watching people give. Rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow put in two small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Jesus called His disciples over: “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” (Mark 12:41–44).

God measures generosity not by amount, but by heart and sacrifice.

The Macedonian churches

Paul describes churches in Macedonia who were in “extreme poverty,” yet “their overflowing joy… welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability” (2 Corinthians 8:2–3). Their poverty didn’t stop them from being generous; it seemed to fuel it.

Proportional, not impossible

Paul also gives important balance: “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality” (2 Corinthians 8:12–13).

God doesn’t ask you to give what you don’t have. He doesn’t want you to go hungry or into debt to give. He asks for a willing heart, according to what you have.

Why give when money is tight?

• It’s worship. Giving says, “God, You are my provider, not my paycheck.”
• It breaks money’s grip. Generosity is the antidote to fear and greed.
• It builds a habit. People who don’t give from $100 rarely start giving at $10,000.
• It connects you to others. Even small gifts make you part of what God is doing.

Ways to give when you have little

• Give a small, regular amount, even a few dollars, faithfully.
• Give time and skills: serve, cook, babysit, drive, mentor.
• Give hospitality: an open door and a pot of soup.
• Give attention: visit, call, encourage.

It’s okay to receive

If you’re in a season of real need, receiving help isn’t failure. The early church shared “so that there were no needy persons among them” (Acts 4:34). Being on the receiving end of the church’s generosity is part of being the body of Christ. Many churches have benevolence funds for exactly this.

A warning

No one should pressure you to give money you need for rent, food or medicine, especially with promises that God will multiply it back. That’s manipulation, not biblical giving. See The Prosperity Gospel.

Tools: Will a Man Rob God? · The Least of These