23^rd June

“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. ..“I tell you the truth, this poor woman has given more than the others…. she, as poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.””

Mark 12:41-44

Jesus, upon visiting the temple, decided to sit down and watch how people gave their contributions. He noticed that many rich people came in and gave lots of money. Yet what caught His eye, was not the large amounts given by the rich people but the two small coins given by a poor widow who had nothing else. The rich people only gave out of their surplus of wealth, yet this poor widow gave everything she had.

However, what struck Jesus, wasn’t particularly what they gave financially but the condition of their hearts when they were giving. Jesus highlighted to His disciples a key area in Spiritual growth and discipleship. This poor widow demonstrated a genuine love and desire for God; by giving all she had, she completely put her trust in Jehovah Jireh (the God who provides). In Jesus’ time, a woman who had lost their husband, more often than not, lost their only source of income too. Widows would have have been very wise and astute with what they did have, so it would last longer. This further demonstrates the sacrificial giving of this poor widow as she gave all she had. Furthermore, Jesus comments that this poor woman, because of her sacrificial giving, had given more than all the wealth of the others.

It is so important for our lives to know firstly that God looks after our every need, but more importantly, God is interested in our heart condition above anything else. Jesus praised this poor widow’s giving because she exercised complete trust in God. God doesn’t want part of our hearts but all of it, even when it may seem a sacrifice to give your whole heart. We can be comforted that when we put our whole trust in God, He will always look after us and bless us even more.