The Poor Widow’s Praise
Consider the account of our Lord watching the people contribute into the treasury of God in Mark 12:41-44:
And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury: for they all did cast in of their superfluity; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
The first thing to consider is that Jesus paid attention to the amount of money that the people contributed! If it was important enough to catch His attention and cause Him to comment upon their actions, surely the Lord is aware of what we contribute. The second thing to consider is that the amount contributed is to be determined by how much sacrifice is involved – that means how much one has left after the offering has been made. Jesus praised the poor widow because she gave all that she had, and in doing this she was like Him because He gave all that He had. Seeing that Jesus gave up heaven to come to earth, Philippians 2:6-8, then while here denied Himself all the earthly riches, and finally have his life, how should we feel about the amount that we put into the offering of God? The Third thing to consider is how will your sacrifice compare with the poor widow’s offering when you both stand before the Lord in judgment? Let us carefully consider 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.” According to the apostle in 2 Corinthians 9:7, God loves a cheerful giver; however, too many members of the body of Christ cannot be cheerful about giving very much – giving only the leftovers to God makes them happy. How do you suppose the poor widow gave, grudgingly or cheerfully? We should be happy when we know that God is pleased with us.
From Our Archives, 1979 By Lavern Stewart