² “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts^(A) them to give.

¹⁴ “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?^(A) Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.^(B)

The Widow’s Offering^(A)

⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put^(B) and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”^(C)

¹⁰ And here is my judgment^(A) about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.^{(B) 11} Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness^(C) to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. ¹² For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has,^(D) not according to what one does not have.

⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,^(A) not reluctantly or under compulsion,^(B) for God loves a cheerful giver.^(C)