Restart: Compassion and JusticeSample

PENNIES

Jesus is sitting in the temple courtyard, watching wealthy Jerusalem landowners and rich pilgrims visiting Jerusalem for the Passover as they cast their money into the large, trumpet-shaped offering bowls. Then along comes a widow, her poverty obvious from her dress. She throws in two tiny copper coins—the smallest coins in circulation.

Not impressive. But she has given all she had. She has less money than the others, but is far richer in spirit and understanding. The story follows a stinging attack on religious leaders who were oppressing the poor (Mark 12:38-40). Yet the people they are cheating are godlier than the rest of them put together.

It’s not the money, but the motive; not the amount, but the attitude; not, perhaps, a question of how much we give away, but rather how much we keep for ourselves. This woman could have kept one of the coins for herself. She didn’t have to make a gift at all. But she chose to give all she had to God.

How does Jesus’ rebuke of the rich challenge us to examine those policies which bring us comfort at the expense of others? If you were present, how would you have responded to the widow’s offering? What comment do you think Jesus would make about a recent offering you made? Why?

Be generous in your giving. Think of how much God has given you and be willing to give it back to him in thankfulness. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Pray: I will praise you, Lord God, with a song and a thankful heart and will seek to do what is pleasing to you.