Take a moment to read the story of the widow and her offering in the context of (Mark 12:34-44). What do you notice? 

The story of this nameless and sacrificial widow—found in both Luke and Mark’s Gospels—is as famous for its simplicity of purpose as it is for being the inspiration behind countless other acts of generosity.  

We know it as the story of the widow’s mite or the widow’s offering; that is, of the husband-less woman who dropped two small, pathetic coins into the moneybox in the temple courtyard as Jesus, the Lord of the Universe, looked on. 

Jesus had visited the temple during the busiest time of the year with his disciples, sitting on a bench, watching and pointing and lecturing on the quirks and qualities of the people who passed them.  

That he noticed the woman at all reflects his heart for those who lived on the margins. That he then held her up as a model of generosity reveals more of his desire for our lives, that we hold on to nothing that might keep us from the service of God.  

As one writer put it, “The cash value of her gift compared to the gifts of the wealthy was hardly enough to notice, but the devotion behind it was another matter. That devotion, beginning there and spreading throughout the world, has built hospitals and helped the needy, fed the hungry and encouraged the imprisoned. Today the world knows more about the poor widow than about the richest man in Jerusalem in her day.”  

You see, shallow spirituality did not impress Jesus. A religious value system that revolved around “do’s and don’ts” didn’t catch his attention.  

Neither did the wealth of those who had stopped by the treasury in the synagogue’s courtyard. What did impress him was a shuffling, marginalised widow at the offering box, pausing to scrounge through her pocket. She did not find loose change there—she found all the money she had in the world. It was her savings, her retirement, her social security, her grocery account and her rent all rolled into one. And it was only two coins. 

She gave what would cost her everything, while the religious leaders of the time did not give anything that would make them uncomfortable. She held onto nothing, they held on to that which gave them convenience. 

And Jesus noticed. Why? Because he would give all he had that we might become rich. He’d become poor, giving up all everything, so that we could enter into the fullness of life through his amazing sacrifice on the cross. When he rose from the dead to offer us new life, he gave us new opportunities, empowered by his Spirit, to live out that generous life of devotion with him! 

Reflection:  

1. After re-reading this famous story, how would you define true poverty and true wealth? 
2. How does this widow’s example speak to you today? Why do you suppose Jesus held her up as an example to his followers? 
3. Because of Christ’s sacrifice for you, what are some specific and creative ways you could consciously seek opportunities to give more generously? 

Prayer: 

Gracious God, Giver of all good gifts, help me to let go of that which I cling too tightly to so that I might live generously toward others, especially the poor, knowing you are my great provider. Amen.