Millions in Mites | Dr. Stephen Tan

Giving is not merely a financial transaction, but a profound act of worship that reflects our understanding of who God is and what He has done in our lives. The story of the poor widow in Mark 12:41-44 reveals that God is far more interested in the heart and attitude behind our giving than the amount itself. While the wealthy gave large sums, it was the widow’s humble, sacrificial offering of two small coins that caught Jesus’ attention. She gave quietly, without fanfare, and with a heart full of trust in God’s provision. This teaches us that giving should be done in humility, not to draw attention to ourselves, but as a private act of devotion to the Lord.

Intentionality is also crucial in our giving. Just as we would prepare a special meal for an honored guest, we are called to plan and purpose our giving, offering God our first and best rather than our leftovers. This reflects respect and honor for the One to whom we give. Our giving should also be willing and joyful, not done out of compulsion or guilt. Recognizing that everything we have ultimately belongs to God makes it easier to release our resources for His purposes. When we give cheerfully, we experience the freedom and joy that comes from aligning our hearts with God’s generous nature.

God’s expectation is that we give in accordance with the blessings we have received. Those who have been entrusted with more—whether money, time, or talents—are called to give more. Yet, God never despises small gifts given with great faith. He notices every act of sacrifice, no matter how seemingly insignificant, and values the heart behind it. The widow’s offering, though tiny in monetary value, was immense in spiritual worth because it represented her total trust in God.

Giving is also a means to deepen our faith. When we let go of what we hold dear, we learn to trust God more fully, believing that He will provide for our needs. Sacrificial giving, then, is not about what we lose, but about what God does in us and through us. It becomes a blessing not only to others but also to ourselves, as we participate in God’s work and experience His faithfulness. Ultimately, our giving should be proactive, motivated by a desire to bless others and glorify God, rather than waiting for a specific need or prompting.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God values the heart and attitude behind our giving more than the amount. The widow’s two mites were insignificant in the world’s eyes, but they were precious to God because they were given in humility and faith, without seeking attention or recognition. True giving is an act of worship that honors God above ourselves. [03:36]
• 2. Intentional and planned giving reflects our respect for God. Just as we would prepare thoughtfully for an honored guest, we are called to purposefully set aside our best for the Lord, not just what is left over. This intentionality demonstrates that we value God and His work above convenience or habit. [08:27]
• 3. Recognizing that all we have belongs to God frees us to give willingly and joyfully. When we see ourselves as stewards rather than owners, it becomes easier to release our resources for God’s purposes. This perspective transforms giving from a burden into a joyful privilege, aligning our hearts with God’s generosity. [11:54]
• 4. God expects us to give in proportion to the blessings we have received. Those who have been entrusted with more—whether wealth, time, or talents—are called to give more, but God also honors the sacrificial gifts of those with little. Every act of giving, no matter how small, is noticed and valued by God when done in faith and gratitude. [21:36]
• 5. Sacrificial giving deepens our faith and blesses others. When we give beyond what is comfortable, we learn to trust God’s provision and participate in His work of blessing others. Sacrifice is not about loss, but about offering our best to God, knowing that He uses even the smallest gifts to accomplish great things for His kingdom. [32:43]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:43] - A Child’s Heart for Giving
• [01:19] - Giving as Worship, Not Obligation
• [01:50] - Jesus Observes the Treasury
• [03:05] - The Attitude Behind Our Giving
• [05:09] - God Looks at the Heart, Not the Amount
• [06:24] - Giving in Humility and Privacy
• [07:45] - Intentional and Purposeful Giving
• [09:48] - Willingness and Stewardship
• [12:33] - Joyful Giving and Freedom from Legalism
• [14:05] - Summary of Giving Attitudes
• [15:54] - Giving in Accordance with Blessings
• [17:11] - The Value of Small Sacrifices
• [19:52] - God Notices the Small Things
• [21:36] - Giving in Line with God’s Blessings
• [25:47] - No Excuses: Giving is for Everyone
• [29:09] - Trusting God Through Sacrificial Giving
• [32:43] - Sacrifice and the Heart of Giving
• [37:47] - Proactive Giving to Bless Others
• [40:19] - The Danger of Playing Games with God
• [41:31] - Final Encouragement to Be Cheerful Givers

Bible Reading

Mark 12:41-44 (NKJV) — > 41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.
> 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.
> 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;
> 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Mark 12:41-44, what did Jesus notice about the way people were giving at the temple? What was different about the widow’s offering compared to the others?
2. In the sermon, what were some of the attitudes Jesus was observing as people gave their offerings? ([03:36])
3. How did the widow give her offering? Was it done publicly or privately, and what does the passage say about her attitude? ([06:24])
4. What did Jesus say about the value of the widow’s gift compared to the gifts of the wealthy? ([25:13])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus highlighted the widow’s offering to His disciples, even though it was such a small amount? What lesson was He trying to teach them? ([25:13])
2. The sermon mentions that God cares more about the heart and attitude behind our giving than the amount. Why is this distinction important for us to understand? ([03:36])
3. How does recognizing that “everything belongs to God” change the way a person might approach giving? ([11:54])
4. The widow gave “all she had, her whole livelihood.” What does this reveal about her trust in God, and how might this challenge our own approach to giving? ([29:42])

Application Questions

1. The sermon talks about giving with humility, not to draw attention to ourselves. Are there ways you have struggled with wanting recognition for your giving or service? How can you practice more private acts of generosity this week? ([06:24])
2. Intentionality in giving was compared to preparing a special meal for an honored guest. How do you currently plan (or not plan) your giving? What is one step you can take to be more intentional and purposeful in your giving to God? ([08:27])
3. The pastor shared that recognizing all we have belongs to God makes it easier to give willingly and joyfully. Is there something you are holding onto tightly (money, time, talents)? What would it look like to release it to God’s purposes? ([11:54])
4. God expects us to give in proportion to the blessings we have received. Take a moment to reflect: In what areas has God blessed you recently (not just financially)? How can you give back in those areas? ([21:36])
5. The widow’s giving was sacrificial and deepened her faith. When was the last time you gave in a way that felt like a real sacrifice? How did it affect your trust in God? ([32:43])
6. The sermon encourages proactive giving, not just waiting for a need to be announced. Is there a person, ministry, or cause you feel led to bless this month? What is one concrete step you can take to act on that prompting? ([37:47])
7. The pastor warned against “playing games with God” in our giving. Are there excuses or rationalizations you often use to avoid giving? What is one excuse you want to surrender to God this week? ([41:31])