We know God never changes and neither have those who abuse the name of God for the sake of greed. This is what Jesus was saying regarding the poor widow who gave her last two mites. Sure she gave more than anyone else, just as the poor woman who gives her last to a supposedly Christian TV network today is giving more than others who give out of their wealth. However, poor widows are the ones that under the old covenant were supposed to receive the benefit of tithes, not be pressured to give their last bit of money.

Deuteronomy 26:12 (New King James Version) 12) “When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year—the year of tithing—and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled,

And under the new covenant through Jesus Christ, we are still supposed to care for poor old widows.

1 Timothy 5:3-4 ; 16 3) Honor widows who are really widows. 4) But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. … 16) If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

Basically now, if a widow has children it is first their responsibility to care for their elder and if she has no children than she is the responsibility of the church. (Not the government, meaning the church should not seek to force government to create a “program” for this because the “program” was established in the Bible, that she is to be cared for by the church. Oh, but the government in America has already taken over this job and still does it, because in the richest nation in the world Christians have outsourced the job to secular government programs.)

So throughout the Bible there was always an emphasis on caring for poor elderly widows. Never should they have felt at any time that they must give to the church their last bit of money in hopes of a blessing.

I’ve heard many a pastor play on the story of the poor widow who gave her last two mites in their efforts to raise money and it frankly sickens my stomach when they play such games. I even heard someone preach about it when trying to raise money and then he even had someone who wrote a song about it sing her song. So if his words didn’t win you over than maybe the money could be sung right out of your pocket. Your last coins if that was all you had. Disgusting is what I call it! Jesus in Matthew 19:21 spoke of the rich man giving all his money to THE POOR, NOT THE TEMPLE TREASURY. Jesus said in Matthew 25:31-46, that he will judge us by what we gave to those in need, not what we gave to a temple, church or whatever the person requesting money cares to call it. Again as always, I must mention that I’m not saying that you should not give to those helping to advance ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but those asking for you to give out of lack are playing you as widows were played and Jesus spoke of. Today they might ask you to pay via money you don’t have by using a credit card, or just give your last bit of money. It’s a game that twists scripture.

George W. Green has been doing some magnificent work over at InYourBible.com. He’s got a 2 part video series, that tells the true story of the widow’s gift. Each part is just under 30 minutes each, well worth your time and you can view them below.

The Truth About the Widow’s Gift - 1 of 2

The Truth About the Widow’s Gift - 2 of 2

As always, give to the needy, not the greedy!