Listen

Jesus sat across from the collection box for the temple treasury and observed how the crowd gave their money. Many rich people were throwing in lots of money. One poor widow came forward and put in two small copper coins worth a penny.

Mark 12:41-42

Think

Remember the church show-offs Jesus was telling his disciples about yesterday? As we continue the story today, we see exactly what Jesus was talking about. I remember learning as a child that these rich people putting large amounts of money in the collection boxes were doing so with many coins of smaller denominations in order to draw the attention of the crowd with all the noise.

In the midst of all these noisy attention-seekers, however, comes a widow with her offering. No one but Jesus notices her because she’s female, probably older, and the two small coins make hardly any sound going into the box. She is not interested in being noticed, just in doing her part to serve God with her money like she has been taught to do. In her faithfulness, even with a small amount, she will get a much better reward than the rich men, who are getting nothing more than the fleeting attention of the crowd.

Ann Wells

Pray

God, when I want people to notice me and what I do, help me to step back and re-evaluate my motives. When it comes to giving, help me to do my part humbly, without attracting attention. Amen.

Go

If you cannot give your thousands,
You can give the widow’s mite;
What you truly give for Jesus
Will be precious in His sight.

Daniel March in “Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling” (1868)