8/6/10 Mark 12:41-44

41 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. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

(James Chistensen- the widow's mite)

Thoughts: Jesus had just talked about the false and showy religious leaders devouring widow's houses out of greed.  But then he shifts this to talk of the blessedness of the widows who give to God- even if that gift is abused.  The widow is blessed anyway for the way she gives- out of whole-hearted devotion to God.  In our day of economic recession churches need to downgrade their budgets and peoplhave  need to see the blessing of giving that this widow saw. 
 
Prayer:  Help us to have hearts that will give to you, O Lord as this widow had. 
 
John Calvin abridged:  Whatever people offer to God should not be judged by its apparent value.  It may seem that the poor do not have the power to do good- but here our Lord speaks of the value of their gift.  It also is not enough for the rich to compare the amount they give to the poor and be satisfied with that.