The Widow's Mite: A Critique of Religious Exploitation

We are thinking about the last week before the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus shocked the ordinary people by opposing and condemning the teachers of the law. He values sincerity of heart and couldn’t stand the hypocrisy he saw in leaders who were supposed to be an example to the flock of God. He decided to warn them about the punishment ahead:

⁴⁵While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, ⁴⁶"Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁷They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely" (Luke 20:45-47).

The teachers of the law considered themselves prime examples of those most likely to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but Jesus warned them of serious consequences. Instead of showing kindness to the poor and lending to the Lord (Proverbs 19:17), these religious leaders were stealing from society’s most vulnerable, the widows (v. 47). Sadly, the translators inserted a chapter break in the middle of Luke’s words, splitting the widow’s offering from the context of Jesus’ condemnation of the teachers of the law. The Gospel writer Mark, however, combines the two passages (Mark 12:38-44) because they should be read as one unit. We will continue with Luke’s thoughts into the next chapter:

¹As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. ²He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ³"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ⁴All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on" (Luke 21:1-4).

What do you think was the woman's reason for giving up all she had to live? There are two ways to interpret this passage. We will examine one today and the other tomorrow.

1) This passage of Scripture is situated in the middle of Jesus' judgment against a corrupt religious system. Right after mentioning the poor widow, Jesus again predicted judgment against the temple and the ongoing corruption. Perhaps this widow was one whose house had been "devoured" by the religious leaders (Luke 20:47). It shows us how people sacrificed themselves to a religious system that was far from the heart of God. During the time of Christ, a widow was not supported by social services. Without a husband, she lacked a pension, income, or visible means of support, yet here we see her giving her only source of livelihood.

Some might see this as a beautiful picture of a giving heart. Still, another perspective on this story is that of a corrupt system that manipulates those who, at vulnerable times in their lives, are taken advantage of rather than cared for in their old age. God certainly honors a giving heart and those who give to Him in faith, but that doesn’t mean He was pleased with the corrupt religious system. It grieves God's heart to see people manipulated and guilted into giving what they cannot afford. All of this to enrich a religious system that does not reflect the Father's heart but instead victimizes the poor and widows.

Just as it was during Jesus' time, some individuals today will find ways to exploit the elderly. Older people can be considered "easy prey," and they may be deceived into giving away all they have saved under the false belief that it is God's will. God has a special love for widows and orphans and will judge harshly those who oppress them (Malachi 3:5). Religion can be an easy tool for unscrupulous people to harness the fear of God and guilt to manipulate others into giving. You've likely seen this happen in the media and television ministries today.

It is disturbing to see people use the Word of God this way, to fleece others for the profit of religious leaders. Some time ago, Christianity Today magazine reported a case where a famous evangelist sent a solicitation letter to an individual, warning him that if he didn't contribute to his ministry, Satan would strike him with "bad things," and he would "wish that he had never been born." Conversely, if he responded with a monetary gift, he could expect miracles and healings, and his finances would revive. Remember Jesus' words to those devouring widow's houses: "Such men will be punished most severely" (Luke 20:47). Keith Thomas.

Taken from the series on the Book of Luke. Click on study 55: Signs of Christ’s Second Coming.