Mark 12:41--44
And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the
multitude were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were
putting in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper
coins, which amount to a cent. And calling His disciples to Him, He said
to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the
contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus,
but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live
on."
NASB
In the name of the One Whose path we pave with palms, amen.
It sometimes seems as if poor people are more eager to give to the Lord
than those who have been blessed with an abundance. We remember our
Lord's warnings against getting caught up with wealth, and how difficult
it is for a wealthy person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. It seems that
a poor person sees more clearly that it is God Who sustains life, Who
gives every good gift.
The reality is, however, that it is just as difficult for a poor person
to enter the Kingdom of Heaven as a rich person. The difference is that
the poor person stares mortality in the face the same as a person on his
death bed does. The idea, "I've made myself what I am," or "As long as
you've got money you're OK," is far from their minds. None of this is to
say that a poor person can't be caught up in materialism just like
someone who is wealthy. But poverty, as well as wealth, is a tool God
uses to accomplish things in our lives. Ask yourself what things God is
using in your life to draw you closer to Himself. Ask the opposite
question too, "What is Satan using to draw me away from God?" Both are
at play in your life. Our wealth and poverty come in many forms. It can
be physical appearance, intelligence, talent, friendships, etc. All of
these things can be tools of God, or tools of the devil.
So there was the poor widow acting from the faith that God had created in
her heart. That faith was undoubtedly strengthened by the fact that
every day was lived on the edge of death. And there too was Jesus, once
again praising the works of faith--the natural results of the faith which
God creats in us. It is baffling to look at the different times when we
see Jesus praise the good works of human beings. He takes great joy in
those works, and yet they are only the secondary result of what He has
done for us. This is just another little mystery of God: the widow, poor
in the things of this world was rich in spiritual things, after all, she
had the praise of her Savior.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gifts you have given us, as well
as the things that you have kept from us. Forgive us for the times we
serve the gifts you give us, rather than you. Give us enough so that we
do not despair of your mercy, but not so much that we no longer need you.
We ask this in Your Holy Spirit and through the Sacrifice of Your Son
our Savior Jesus, amen.