Saturday 22 September, 2012

21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Jesus watches an offering, something I am unlikely ever to do.  His review is interesting.  He is clearly not commenting on the amount the people give, but the proportion.  More than that the widow’s contribution Jesus says was more than the combined value of all the rich people had given.

Jesus explanation is clear, the rich people had given a small portion of their surplus, the widow had given everything she had.

When you do not have much it is as difficult to give as when you have much.  It is never easy to ‘give it all’.  The rich person giving it all wonders what someone in authority will do with the offering.  The poor person wonders whether their gift will even make a difference.

Clearly the heart is the issue.

I love the heart of this widow.  I need to emulate her in her generosity.  It is really quite challenging.  I have never given everything I have.  I have given generously, and continue to do so, and I need to engage my heart in my giving, more than my head as it can become a steel trap to my generosity.

Written by Ps. Richard Botta