Read: Mark 12:41-44 NIV
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Growing up I remember the passing of the tithe plate in church. My family was not wealthy so when I would see others putting large amounts of money in the plate, it left me with a feeling that what we gave was not enough.
As Jesus watched the wealthy put large amounts of money into the temple treasury, He noticed a poor widow give two coins. I wonder how that widow felt. In those days giving was on display – it would be noticed who gave more and who gave less. There certainly was one person who noticed: Jesus. It was a teaching moment for his disciples, and a teaching moment for us today. His lesson, “truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. “They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Jesus knew the widow’s heart. She would give everything for God’s kingdom, even if only a few pennies – her last pennies. What a bold faith!
Our world seems to continue to get darker and darker, but there is going to come a day after the resurrection when the light will overtake the darkness. As for now, the Church is the light in this darkening world – we are the light. While we are here, we must take every opportunity to grow God’s kingdom. However, that opportunity is not determined by how much we give but rather what we give from our heart. What that means to you and me may be different but with our hearts joined together, our actions can make a difference in the darkness, and that is enough.
