The Widow’s Mite – The poor widow’s contribution

 

We have often heard people talk about giving their widow’s mite to mean that they have contributed what they could for a cause. But that is not the same point made by Jesus in Luke 21:1-4. Listen to Jesus: “When he looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor window putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor window put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” Why did she give from her pauperism? 

Life’s lesson has taught us that poor people are always willing to give to a cause or to others with no question asked. They give food and money to those in need more readily than others; they give without counting the cost. Point of interest: “…But she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.

We know the story of the hen and the pig. There are many versions of this story. Let me recall one of the versions published by Jacki Zehner on October 26, 2012 on her web page www.jackizehner.com: “A pig and a chicken were walking down the road. As they passed a church, they notice that a potluck charity breakfast was on the way. Caught up in the spirit, the pig suggested to the chicken that they each make a contribution. “Great idea!” the chicken cried. “Lets offer them ham and eggs!” “Not so fast.” “For you, that’s just a contribution, but for me, it’s a total commitment.”” This story demonstrates the total commitment of the poor widow to the contribution observed by Christ. Her giving, like that of the pig was total, she gave everything that she had. She is a good example of a sacrificial giver. She gave because she trusted God. She gave because she knew that it is better to give than receive. She gave all she had to the one who gives to all abundantly. She did not know that Christ was watching, but she knew that not giving was not an option. She also knew that she could not pretend to have nothing to give. The God who sees her heart and knows that she had given it all will not allow her to go in want. He will open for her the floodgates of heaven, and pour down blessing upon her without measure. For her sake God will forbid the locust to destroy her crop; and the vine in her field will not be barren, cf. Malachi 3:11. 

So what type of a giver are you? Do you give as a widow or the rich people? Do you give like a hen or like a pig? Giving as described here dose not have to be monetary. If you don’t have in cash you can give in time or in talent, not giving is not an option. Even children can give to God. Let me conclude with this beautiful song written in 1874 by Christopher Ruby Blackall, MD, ”The fields are all white, and the reapers are few; we children are willing, but what can we do, to work for our Lord in His harvest? Our hands are so small, and our words are so weak; we cannot teach others; how then shall we seek to work for our Lord in His harvest? We’ll work by our prayers, by the offerings we bring, by small self-denials; the least little thing, may work for our Lord in His harvest. Until by and by, as the years pass, at length we too may be reapers, and go forth in strength, to work for our Lord in His harvest.”