“A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a mite. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this poor widow put in [proportionally] more than all the contributors to the treasury.” – Mark 12:42-43 (AMP)
Once upon a time, Jesus was in the Temple at a time that offerings were dropped into the treasury. The rich, middle class, and the poor came to drop into the offering box. Some brought much out of the abundance they’ve got because they were rich and the middle class must have tried their best too in putting in something tangible compared to what the poor must have brought.
But Jesus took note of a certain widow who was poor. As if it was not enough that she was a widow, she was also poor, which means survival was a hassle for her and whatever is left of her immediate family. Amazingly, she also came forward to drop offering. Possibly, many who were there and knew her well might have even made jest of her that one who hardly had food to eat or a means of survival was also bringing an offering. But an important lesson was about to be learnt.
This poor widow brought only two mites, a very small value of their currency but that was all she had. It was not like she had another two mites somewhere but she gave the whole she had to God. Giving is first of all about the heart and not about what one has or doesn’t have. The reason many don’t give is because they are waiting till they become billionaires but they do not know that if you are not able to give God out of the little that you have, it will be difficult to give Him when you have in abundance.
Giving to God even when you have no hope of survival might have been called a seed but more than that, it is a means of training the heart to acknowledge the providence of God in little and in much and whatever we have must be used to honour Him.
Christ, commenting on the widows giving said, she gave more than they all because she gave her all while they gave out of their abundance. So, to the people there, the rich man gave the most but to God, the widow gave the most. Why? The rich had something to boast of but the widow had nothing to boast of and all her joy and boast would be that she gave God her all. And this means to survive the next day is solely dependent on God.
Another lesson here is that, no matter how rich you are, always learn and know how to depend on God for daily survival. Your livelihood is not dependent on the amount of riches you have but on the God who is the Jehovah Jireh. Trust God even when you have a life that is filled with abundance. Be willing to give your all if and when God asks for it.
Reflections: Have I ever given to God out of the little that I have? Do I have a heart that is willing to give God all if and when He asks for it? Who or what do I depend on for my daily survival, God or the abundance of resources I have?
Confession: God is my Source and Sustainer and my daily living and survival is dependent on Him. I do not boast in the abundance of resources that is available unto me. I live with the heart that gives God my all without holding back.
Related Scriptures: Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4
Bible Reading: John 14
