Jesus was once in the temple, watching while people put money into the treasury. Many were casting in large sums, but one widow put in only two mites (a fraction of one cent). Jesus said, "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. This woman gave fearlessly. Her action contradicted the material evidence of lack and expressed her gratitude, love, and faith in God. Surely she must have been blessed by such unselfed giving.
Jesus' comment points out that it isn't the size of a contribution that counts, but how it is given. A gift's blessing to church is in proportion to the gratitude, joy, willingness, and unselfed love that impel it. Monetary contributions, of course, are important to the support of the organization of church, but these can never substitute for higher, mental contributions.
Church is more than a material edifice in a particular location to which we give monetary support. Church exists within the consciousness of each individual and is always present wherever we are. Church isn't really "out there" somewhere, but within one's own thought. Our experience is individual, and how we view church inwardly appears in outward experience. If we don't like what we see evidenced in our church, we have the privilege of helping to bring about change through our prayers.
