The Worth of a Widow's Mite

"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."

Mark 12:41-44

I love this account of the widow woman.  It's a true story, not a parable. Jesus witnessed this widow give all she had, and he decided to share what He saw with His disciples to teach them a valuable lesson.

It's interesting to note that Jesus 'beheld how' the people had cast in their money into the treasury.  Jesus knows the motive behind our giving.  Is it mechanical? Exactly ten percent? Do I really sacrifice anything at all when I give monetarily?  Am I giving from a cheerful heart?

The rich gave much, there is no doubt about that.  Had it become routine for them? Was there prayer behind their giving? 

"This is for You, Lord."

Then along came a widow woman.  What a contrast in the amount that was put into the treasury and what a contrast between the hearts of those who gave.  The wealthy gave large amounts of gold, silver, copper and bronze coins, and this poor widow woman gave two lepta.  A lepton was the smallest bronze Jewish coin in circulation in Palestine. Two lepta were worth 1/64 of a Roman denarius, a day's wage for the laborer.  In other words, what the widow woman gave, was a fraction of a penny, and yet in the sight of Jesus it was worth more than all the gold and silver coins given by the rich.

The rich gave out of their material wealth at little cost to them, but this woman gave out of her poverty.

She gave all she had to live on, and by doing this she gave sacrificially to God knowing that He would provide for her every need. She knew the principle of 'give and it shall be given unto you.'

This widow woman not only gave what she had materially, but in faith, she gave her heart as well.

She gave...

    because she needed...

        But that's just me!