Be.Loved. 25 Simple Acts of Love to Change a LifeSample

DAY 16: Give your widow’s mite

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” – Mark 12:41-44

Money. Some of us have lots of it, some of us don’t. And those of us who don’t may feel as though we are insignificant, or that our “widow’s mite” contributions are not worthy of celebration. Money is one of the most frequent topics in the Bible, yet one of the most uncomfortable to discuss.

It, however, is one of the gifts that God gives us and can be used simultaneously to bless others and to increase our dependence upon God. We are called to give of our time, our energies, our passions, and our finances. None are more or less important in developing in us a practice of generosity and sacrifice as a demonstration of our love for others and for God. 

A widow’s mite is a gesture of love. It reflects the goodness of God to bless others as we have been blessed. It is a way to overflow with what we have been given.

Today, give a financial gift from your heart out of love for someone or an organization’s cause. Let it be whatever amount your best gift would be – your widow’s mite. The amount is inconsequential—25 cents or $1 million—if it comes from a heart of generosity and sacrifice.

Reflect on how you felt doing this and how you can regularly view your widow’s mite as a necessary and important demonstration of love.