“She out of her poverty, put in everything.” Mark 12:44
She shuffled across the stone floor to the treasury collection basin. Covered in their robes and jewels, the religious leaders and those seeking to secure status in the synagogue looked on. “Who is this old lady in frayed clothes adorned with crumbs from recent meals that she scraped together.” She knew they were watching her with judgmental eyes expecting her to share something insignificant with the treasury. Some probably whispering disparaging remarks about her appearance and scarcity – all while their callous hearts were envious toward those who could contribute more than they.
As she meekly drew near the basin, she reached into her small bag and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little. The modest offering not of value to most, bounced around the metal chamber and reverberated to heaven. Her sacrifice is recorded as being “all she had to live on”. What would cause such a sacrifice? She couldn’t impress anyone or earn standing in society – she was a widow, an outcast, worthless to many. But God saw into her heart. He felt the love of her commitment to give everything she had.
As Jesus watched, he probably smiled as he reflected on her sacrifice – not just the coins but thinking of all she sacrificed for her former husband, children, the community. Maybe He also thought of his own mother’s sacrifice over the years – and what she would experience after she witnessed His sacrifice on the cross in a few days.
The widow’s story is our story. God isn’t concerned with outward appearance or material possessions. He wants our heart to be set on giving Him our best. God is not standing there pointing and intimidating us to commit our lives, talents and financial resources to Him. He wants to know we are thankful for all that He has blessed with us, and eager for us to share with Him and serve others as an act of trust and worship. God wants to smile as He looks on at our actions.
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