Thoughts for the Day

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them. 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'

New Revised Standard Version

Thoughts

This little story which is found in both Mark and Luke's Gospels, sees Jesus teaching in the Temple. He notices how much money is put into the treasury, the wealthy putting in large amounts and a poor widow putting in the tiniest of coins about 1% of a denarius. He calls the disciples to him and makes the comment that the widow has put in more than all the others have put in as a total! They cold afford all they put in, but she put in everything she had.

On the surface there doesn't seem much to say about this story. Jesus recommends we give until it hurts, is what it seems to say, and many commentators have gone with this idea. But there is another meaning. Jesus is saying that it is about how and not what we give. God looks at the heart. The widow gave humbly and quietly everything she had, but the wealthy had given ostentatiously.

We might also wonder, bearing in mind the Great Commandment that comes just before this story, if this is also how we should be worshipping God. The story is not necessarily about giving money, but is about giving praise to God. We should be worshipping God with all our heart, all our soul, all our strength, and all our might with a humble and joyful heart!

Saturday 6th June, follow up thoughts

Heavenly Father,
Your Son gave everything,
including his life, for us.
Teach us to give
generously with a joyful heart,
out of the abundance
of gifts that You give us.
Amen.