The Widow’s Might

There came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

She came into the Temple complex, the lowest of the low (a woman and a widow), the poorest of the poor. She made her way to the treasury, which was a trumpet-shaped metal offering box. She waited in line to make her gift as others with more money made a show of giving it.

Then she threw in two tiny coins, which were worth very little. Certainly not enough to make a difference to anyone.

She turned away, facing an evening with not much to eat.

But the Master was watching her. He saw what she did. And He knew—He knew that she was poor, that she was a widow, that she gave everything she had. And He talked to the disciples about all the people who had more wealth and were making large gifts. In God’s math, Jesus tells us, the widow gave more than any of them because she gave out of her poverty; they gave out of their wealth. She held nothing back; they still had plenty.

I wonder: When I give, do I hold back? Do I give because I have to? Is it a duty or a privilege? An act of obligation or an act of worship? When I serve, do I look for fanfare? Do I pick the glamour jobs? Am I just as happy to change a diaper as I am to serve on the deacon-nominating committee? Do I serve out of gratitude for the Giver? When I share my talents and do what God made me to do, is it about me? Or is it about the One who gave me those talents? Am I noisy with a “look-at-me” attitude, or do I go about quietly, humbly?

I like to think that Jesus provided miraculously for this widow—that someone invited her to dinner that night, or gave her a sack of barley or a jar of oil. We’re not told what happened to her, but this brief moment of her life was noticed and recorded for eternity for us to read. She dared to love God, dared to have faith that He would provide, dared to give all. May I do no less.

Rest Assured

Father, thank You for the truths You share with us in Scripture. Thank You for noticing even the smallest acts of faith and love.

Rest in Him: Mark 12:41-44