This is one of the most famous incidents in the gospels. Jesus observes various people putting offerings into the temple treasury. Mark’s account (Mark 12:41-44) tells us that Jesus directed His teaching to the disciples. It also indicates that the rich givers made something of a show of their giving. The two small coins would be lepta, each worth 1/100 of a denarius. So much of Jesus’ teaching is about not judging by outward appearances, and this is no exception. Numerically the rich may have given much more, but in terms of heart-giving the widow had given the most. The Lord looks at the heart of the giver as well as the amount.
Now we also need to be careful as well. From a practical point of view churches and charities need people who can make substantial donations, and there is nothing wrong with being rich. However, no one who is rich should take pride in their being rich. To whom much is given, much is expected. Nor should we despise those who are not well off and cannot give large amounts. The heart does matter, and people with a good heart are valued by God and are essential to the growth of the kingdom. We should also note that most of us in West should probably give more than we do!
Some preachers make too much of this account. The poor widow gave the last of her means, reducing her to destitution, such was her devotion to the temple, but there is no suggestion that this was demanded of her. The rich folk should have given to her, to save her from destitution.
ReplyDelete