"Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.  Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on" (Mk. 12:41-44).

The Lord's Prayer includes the words "Give us today the food we need" or "Give us today the food for today" or "Give us today the food for tomorrow". Both the GNT and the NLT give these three alternatives. This is new to me. The last hardly seems likely. The principle seems to be that God wants us to trust him for today's needs whether that be for food (as here and in 2 Cor. 8:13-15 with reference to God's daily provision of Manna in the wilderness); for handling the worries of this world (Mt. 6:34); for having the strength needed to face whatever may come our way (Dt. 33:25); and for clothing and shelter (Mt. 6:30; 1 Tm. 6:8).

The 2 Cor. 8:13-15 passage speaks of sharing with others any surplus we might have once our daily needs have been met. "At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality." That is, the equality of all having their daily needs met whatever those needs might be. Operation Mobilization encouraged this principle to be adopted amongst all their workers. Some were well supported – far more than their daily needs demanded – whereas those coming from the poorer nations were woefully short. Of course this is to be seen as a matter of individual choice as giving should always be a question of conscience not one of compulsion, "for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7).

What Jesus said of the poor widow seems to indicate he approved of this principle. She gave everything she had to live on so was literally dependent on God for her next meal. Such faith thrills the heart of God. He loves us to be at peace and happy about being totally dependent on him. I'm sure she wasn't lazy, but very industrious. "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Lk. 6:38). The more generous we are the more God will entrust his riches to us (2 Cor. 9:10-11).