The Poor Widow’s Offering (Part 2)

We are continuing from yesterday’s meditation to examine the words of Jesus as He observed a widow giving her last bit of money into the temple treasury. Here’s the passage of Scripture:

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).

The second way to view this passage is that Jesus uses the example of the widow's offering to show the difference in the hearts of the religious establishment and the ordinary people. There are spiritual lessons to be learned when someone has limited financial resources. The Spirit of God teaches us to depend on the Lord, His people, and the essentials rather than on trivial things. Was the widow's gift an act of faith and obedience? Perhaps she believed God spoke to her, telling her to give all she had.

Only God understands the true motives of the heart regarding whether she was pressured into giving everything she had to live on. It could also have been a matter of complete trust in God's providence. If that were the case, God would have rewarded her obedience with His provision. Two small copper coins wouldn't have bought much—perhaps just a single piece of bread. There seemed to be no concern about where her next meal would come from. She entirely places her trust in God's hands.

Our giving reflects our faith and trust in God. He watches over those who walk with Him, eager to fill their open and empty hands. The Scripture tells us, "The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him" (2 Chronicles 16:9). God constantly observes our expressions of faith and trust in Him. These outward acts of trust show Him that we are releasing ourselves from the grip of self and entrusting ourselves to His caring guidance and provision. They are signs that we are freeing ourselves from the I, me, and mine mindset. Self-preservation often holds us tightly. The widow was unaware that Jesus was watching her. It is encouraging to know that when we sacrifice to follow God and serve His people, the Lord observes everything we give and do for the eternal good of others. The Lord promises, "Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:4). Those who give their love and resources to God and His Kingdom will receive a significant return on their investment.

We shouldn’t think that God despises generous gifts from those He has blessed with finances. Thank God for those who have the gift of giving (Romans 12:8). Regarding our giving, what pleases the Lord most? If we adopt the second viewpoint on her giving, we see that this poor widow gave sacrificially and with a pure motive. Another quality the Lord loves is giving to Him with joy. Sharing our time, energy, or finances with glad hearts shows our trust in God.

This kind of sacrificial giving, which drew Jesus's attention, stood out from the other gifts presented that day. Many people likely came bearing gifts, and I am sure all of them exceeded hers, but her donation touched the Lord's heart more because she gave despite her personal need. Earlier passages showed how the moneychangers verbally attacked Jesus in the temple, motivated by greed. Christ disrupted their income by forbidding them to buy and sell animals in the temple courts. In the second view of this passage, it was inspiring for Him to see someone who gave her all. She will receive a great reward at the resurrection! Keith Thomas

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