Day 45 of 49.
I enjoy going to the mall the day after Thanksgiving. Before online shopping, it was a day of total chaos as people tried to get the best deals for Christmas. I went to watch the people. I think I got that from my mom.
Jesus people watched too. The thirteen collection vessels sat in the court of the women, where both men and woman could go. Jesus watched as people brought their gifts.
Some came with a great deal of fanfare, letting everyone know about the gift they brought. There could have been some scoffing as the woman brought in two copper pieces, leptas, the smallest coins in circulation at the time.
And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.
And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Mk 12:38–44.
We have in this passage a contrast, the rich people giving large amounts and a widow giving two small coins. I wonder if the disciples were impressed by the value of the rich man’s gift. It doesn’t say, but Jesus makes a point to direct their attention to the widow.
No matter how large an amount, some is still only a part…and all will always be more than some. The widow held nothing back from the Lord, she honored God with all that she had.
We have another contrast in this passage. The scribes, Jewish leadership, loved to impress people with their piety and religious appearance. They dressed to impress, sat in seats of honor, both in the synagogue and at parties. With all the appearance of a life that worshipped the Lord, it was just a show as they devoured widow’s houses.
Then we have the widow, probably poorly dressed, not invited to parties, and bringing a pitiful amount of offering into the Temple.
When I people watch, I can only guess at the motivations for what I observe. Jesus understood the person’s heart and motivation. The woman revealed her love for and her trust in God with her gift.
We don’t know what happened to her. I like to think that God gave her a new family and the means to enjoy a full life. If so, I’m sure she continued with a heart of generosity to those around her.
This is convicting to me on two levels. First, am I willing to give all to the Lord? My money? My time? My gifts? Where am I holding back…what am I holding onto?
Second, my evaluation of others, do I even try to see the one who is really sacrificing to honor God? Or do I just assume a sold out life by a facade of righteousness?
Lord, open my eyes to the person who truly tries to honor you with all they say and do, that I may encourage them. Reveal to me where I am holding back from giving my all to you. Help me to trust you more.
TRICIA LATHROP 