I want to give, but I barely have anything.

The rich gave what they'd never miss. The widow gave what she couldn't afford. And Jesus didn't say she was foolish. He said she gave the most. Generosity isn't about how much. It's about how much it costs you.

The conversation

The child: “Daddy God... I want to give, but I barely have anything.”

God: “What do you have?”

The child: “Just... two small coins. It's nothing compared to what others give.”

God: “I was watching the treasury once. Rich people threw in fortunes. Then a widow dropped in two mites.”

The child: “Two mites? That's almost worthless.”

God: “I said she gave more than all of them.”

The child: “How? That doesn't make sense.”

God: “They gave from their excess. She gave from her need. The gift is measured by what it costs the giver.”

The child: “But what if I give everything and have nothing left?”

God: “That's what trust looks like. She didn't hold back in case I didn't show up.”

The child: “And did You show up for her?”

God: “I always show up for the one who holds nothing back.”

The child: “I've been waiting until I have 'enough' to give.”

God: “If you wait until you have enough, you'll never give at all.”

The child: “So my small thing actually matters?”

God: “Your small thing is the biggest thing in the room — because it's all of you.”

The child: “Then here. It's not much, but it's everything I have.”

God: “And that's exactly what I've always wanted.”

"Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." Mark 12:43-44, KJV