The Widow And Her Mite (Might)

"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

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

 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."  ~ Mark 12:41-44

Jesus sat by the treasury to observe the offerings. He knew how connected our hearts are to money and he knew he could judge the condition of our heart and our commitment to God through our use of and attitude to money. People gave very impressive offerings, stupendous amounts that would make anyone go ‘wow’. 

But Jesus wasn’t impressed until this widow came in and dropped two very small copper coins (The message bible called it ‘a measly two cents’). It wasn’t just the copper coins that got our Lord’s attention, it was the woman herself. The message bible puts it in better light when it says: “All the others gave what they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford.”

I shivered when I read more about her:

1. She was a widow. She had no income or source of sustenance thus she had the perfect excuse not to give. (The amp bible states that she was ‘poverty stricken’)

2. She loved God. We don’t know if she knew about Jesus but she was definitely a daughter of Abraham who loved the God of the Old Testament and obeyed His commandments.

3. She was a powerful giver. She didn't give just anything; she gave her all without any regrets, doubts, cold-feet or fear of the future. She gave unreservedly. She gave out of her need. She gave sacrificially.

4. She trusted God to take care of her needs when she gave her all.

5. She acknowledged God as her source.

6. She gave with the right heart.

7. She worshipped God with her substance.

Jesus was impressed with her and that’s why her acts were recorded for us to read and learn from. It’s never about the size of our offerings, how noble our titles are, how uppity our positions; it’s always about the sacrifice behind our giving, the sacrifice in what we do for God. God is not interested in our leftovers but our first fruits, our very best; the costly oil.

This singular act sets her aside as a woman of God, a woman of great might, a woman of worth and value.

 (c)Histiara