Living in the Kingdom Luke 21:1-4 (9:00 AM)

This morning, the focus is on the heart of generosity, sacrifice, and trust as seen through the story of the widow’s offering in Luke 21. The world often measures generosity by the size of the gift, but God looks deeper—He measures by the size of the sacrifice and the heart behind it. The story of Hattie Mae Wyatt, a little girl whose 57 cents helped build a church and eventually a university, reminds us that even the smallest gifts, when given with love and faith, can be multiplied by God for purposes far beyond our imagination.

Jesus draws attention to a poor widow who gave two small coins at the temple. While others gave out of their abundance, she gave all she had to live on. This act was not about the amount, but about her complete trust in God’s provision. True generosity is not about convenience or public recognition, but about commitment and surrender. Throughout Scripture, God honors those who give sacrificially, whether it’s King David refusing to offer what costs him nothing, Mary pouring out expensive perfume on Jesus, or the Macedonian churches giving beyond their ability in the midst of poverty.

God sees what others overlook. The world may ignore quiet acts of faithfulness, but God notices every hidden act of love, obedience, and trust. The widow’s offering was not just a financial act—it was an act of worship, a declaration that God is her source and security. Her story, and others like it, show that generosity is not limited by wealth or status. Anyone can be generous, because God is not asking for what we don’t have, but for what we are willing to give from the heart.

Generosity, at its core, is an act of worship. It’s not about obligation or appearance, but about offering ourselves fully to God. When we give with a heart of worship, even the smallest act becomes sacred and treasured in heaven. The widow’s two coins still echo through history, not because of their monetary value, but because they were given from a heart fully devoted to God. May we learn to give, live, and worship with that same faith-filled simplicity, trusting that God can do extraordinary things with our ordinary offerings.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True generosity is measured by sacrifice, not by the size of the gift. God is not impressed by large sums or outward displays, but by the willingness to give even when it costs us something. The heart behind the gift is what matters most to Him, and even the smallest act of giving can be significant when it comes from a place of surrender. [43:23]
• 2. God sees what others overlook. While the world may celebrate public acts of generosity, God notices the quiet, hidden faithfulness of those who serve, give, and love without seeking recognition. Every unseen act of obedience and love is remembered and rewarded by God, even when it goes unnoticed by people. [48:01]
• 3. Giving is an act of trust in God’s provision. The widow’s offering was not just a financial sacrifice, but a declaration of faith that God would provide for her needs. Trusting God often means stepping out before we see the outcome, believing that He is our source and that He will meet our needs as we surrender to Him. [51:21]
• 4. Generosity is not limited by wealth or status. In God’s kingdom, anyone can make a difference, regardless of their resources. What matters is a willing heart—God multiplies even the smallest offerings when they are given in love and faith, and He uses them for purposes far beyond what we can imagine. [54:53]
• 5. God values the heart of worship over outward displays. The widow’s gift was powerful not because of its amount, but because it was an act of worship—a wholehearted offering to God. True worship is about giving ourselves fully to God, not for recognition, but out of love and reverence, trusting that He treasures every sincere act of devotion. [58:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [36:41] - Reflections on Time and Milestones
• [37:43] - Honoring Pastor Dave’s Faithful Service
• [38:40] - Introduction to Generosity, Sacrifice, and Trust
• [39:00] - The Story of Hattie Mae Wyatt
• [40:43] - God Multiplies Small Offerings
• [41:19] - Reading Luke 21:1-4
• [42:32] - The Heart of Generosity
• [43:40] - Sacrifice in Scripture: David and Mary
• [45:34] - Joyful Sacrifice and Trusting Faith
• [47:32] - God Sees What Others Overlook
• [49:06] - Hidden Faithfulness in Everyday Life
• [51:03] - Giving as an Act of Trust
• [54:53] - Generosity Beyond Wealth
• [58:13] - Worship at the Heart of Giving
• [62:24] - Living with Faith-Filled Simplicity
• [63:48] - Communion and Heart Reflection

Bible Reading

Luke 21:1-4 (ESV) — > Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Luke 21:1-4, what differences do you notice between the way the rich and the poor widow gave their offerings?
2. In the sermon, what did Jesus say was more important than the amount given? ([43:23])
3. What did the widow’s two coins represent about her relationship with God? ([51:21])
4. What are some examples from the sermon of people in the Bible who gave sacrificially, not just financially but with their whole heart? ([43:40])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus say the widow “put in more than all of them” even though her gift was the smallest in amount? What does this reveal about God’s values? ([41:51])
2. The sermon says, “God sees what others overlook.” Why is this truth comforting or challenging for believers today? ([48:01])
3. How does the widow’s act of giving challenge the idea that generosity is only for those who have a lot to give? ([54:53])
4. The sermon describes the widow’s offering as an act of worship. In what ways can giving be considered worship, and how is this different from giving out of obligation or for recognition? ([58:55])

Application Questions

1. The widow gave “all she had to live on.” Is there an area of your life where God might be asking you to trust Him more fully, even if it feels risky or costly? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? ([51:21])
2. The world often celebrates big, public acts of generosity, but God values the quiet, hidden faithfulness. Can you think of a time when you did something for God that no one else noticed? How did that experience shape your faith? ([48:01])
3. The story of Hattie Mae Wyatt shows that even small gifts can be multiplied by God. Is there something “small” you feel led to offer—your time, encouragement, resources—that you’ve been holding back because it doesn’t seem significant? What step could you take this week to offer it to God? ([40:43])
4. The sermon mentioned that true generosity is measured by sacrifice, not by the size of the gift. What is one practical way you can practice sacrificial generosity this month, whether with your finances, time, or talents? ([43:23])
5. Giving is described as an act of trust in God’s provision. Are there fears or worries that keep you from being generous? How can you remind yourself of God’s faithfulness when you feel anxious about giving? ([51:21])
6. The widow’s offering was an act of worship, not just a financial transaction. How can you make your giving—whether money, service, or encouragement—an act of worship this week? ([58:55])
7. The sermon says, “Anyone can be generous, because God is not asking for what we don’t have, but for what we are willing to give from the heart.” What is one thing you have right now that you can offer to God and others, no matter how small it seems? ([54:53])