(Mark 12:41–44; Luke 21:1–4)
Giving in the temple courts was a public affair. The prideful rich fronted up with large quantities of coins and let the sound of the metal on metal ring out their righteousness. The poor just slinked by.Jesus drew the attention of his disciples to a woman who would have spent so little time at the contribution receptacle that the event could just as easily have been missed. Her two small copper coins were Leptas. Their combined value would be less than two dollars in today’s money. Jesus’ commendation and condemnation came in the form of a contrast. He made it very clear that while the rich were literally tossing their scraps to God, this poor widow was humbly giving all she had to keep herself fed.Giving takes on new light when viewed through this sacrificial paradigm. Brothers and sisters in the Lord who give as the poor widow gave are given by God something that the rest of us may never know this side of Paradise—Peace of mind!They are convicted that every cent given to spread the gospel and to help the needy is an investment in the Kingdom of Christ and riches that will be waiting for them in heaven.This widow defined wealth in purely spiritual terms. As far as she was concerned, that which God bestows upon the sacrificial giver is too precious to be counted in material blessings. After all, she is only giving back that which God has graciously gifted to her. She knew that true wealth consisted of faith, mercy, forgiveness and the privilege of serving God. It was the anticipation of being enriched with more of these blessings that drove her to give as she did. With these blessings in mind we can truly understand Jesus’ words:“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Lk.6:38).(johnstaiger1@gmail.com)
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