Luke 21:1-19 What Does True Generosity Look Like?

September 24, 2026 

The Ten Signposts of the Bible

CAMDE—400—CALY

Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

Is generosity about the amount or the attitude? Does God look at the size of the gift or the state of the heart? Does a large gift given grudgingly go farther than a small gift given joyfully? Let’s see how Jesus addresses these questions in today’s passage.

Real Generosity
During the last week of his life on earth, Jesus spent almost every day teaching openly in the temple courts. The Court of Women was one of Jesus’ favorite spots because both men and women could gather there. 

Near the Court of Women was the treasury. In the treasury there were thirteen trumpet-shaped metal boxes, each designated for a different charitable purpose. From where Jesus was teaching, he “saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box” (Luke 21:1). Jesus was not impressed because “they all contributed out of their abundance” (Luke 21:4a). 

Then Jesus noticed something significant. He saw a “poor widow put in two small copper coins” (Luke 21:2). To put this in perspective, the small copper coin was called a lepton (“the thin one”). A denarius was a day’s pay for a common laborer, and it took 128 lepta to equal one denarius. So a lepton was worth about eight minutes of work. But the point was not how much she gave; it was the heart behind it. Jesus said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:3–4). 

Luke’s account gives us a practical message from Jesus. To show us what true giving and generosity are all about, Jesus pointed to a poor widow who gave two small copper coins. Giving is not at all about the amount. It’s about the heart of sacrifice, dependence, and worship. That means we should ask not only what to give, but also examine why we give: Are we offering our money, time, abilities, and resources with willing hearts, or merely out of obligation, convenience, or the desire to be seen? True generosity begins when we give ourselves to God first. 

The Temple’s Destruction
While Jesus and his disciples were in the temple area, some were marveling at the beauty of the stones that adorned the structure. Herod the Great was expanding the temple at this time using huge polished limestone blocks ( approximately 25’ x 8’ x 12’). These became the focus of worship at the temple rather than the God who inhabited it. Jesus made this prediction. He said, “...the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (Luke 21:6). 

This was astounding news, so they asked, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” (Luke 21:7). Jesus did not share specifics, but gave a warning: “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once” (Luke 21:8–9). 

The temple would be destroyed by the Romans in AD 70. We’ll talk more about that later. But for now Jesus has instructions for his disciples about the end times.

Luke 21:10–12

Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.”

In this section of Luke, it is sometimes hard to tell whether Jesus is referring to the near-term destruction of the temple in Jerusalem or to the end times when he returns. Often, the two seem to overlap. While wars, natural events, and terrors in the heavens will be signs of the second coming, I believe Jesus is speaking here about the events of AD 70. 

He tells his disciples that they will face persecution in the days ahead at the hands of the Jews and eventually the Roman government. Christians will be persecuted simply for following Jesus. 

Jesus goes on to explain that it will “be [the disciples’] opportunity to bear witness” (Luke 21:13). While we should study God’s Word and be ready to explain what we believe, Jesus told his disciples that in a time of persecution, there was no need to “meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict” (Luke 21:14–15). 

Believers will be hated for following Jesus. Some will be persecuted, even put to death. Yet in the most difficult of times, those who trust in Jesus will never perish but will gain eternal life (Luke 21:17–19). 

Here’s the promise that gives us great encouragement: even in the most challenging circumstances, Jesus will give us everything we need to endure. When hardship presses in, when difficulties arise, or when uncertainty makes the path ahead feel unclear, we can trust him to supply his grace, strength, and sustaining presence. He will not abandon his people; he will keep us faithful and carry us through.

Read and reflect on Luke 21:1–19: When you give your time, money, abilities, or resources to God, are you primarily concerned with the amount you give—or with the heart and sacrifice behind your giving?

Talking to God: Talk to God about your attitude toward giving. 

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