Mark 12:43-44
"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."
People like to compare…it's natural. We look at everything from size of businesses to houses, to sporting events. Sometimes everything becomes like a competition. Who lives in the best neighborhood, the biggest house, the fastest car. Sometimes this seeps into donating to causes. "I gave this amount for this non-profit," or "I give this amount to the church every week." Such is the case from this weekend's gospel from Mark. It's the story of the widow's mite. At the beginning of this reading in chapter 12, Jesus is near by the treasury of the temple. He addresses the crowd telling them to beware of those who are in long robes and like to be seen in the area and place of honor in their giving. Then Jesus sees a poor widow who has nothing. She puts two coins into the collection. Jesus tells the followers, "this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they gave from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty." Jesus recognizes that this was a tremendous sacrifice she made for what she believes in. The others gave because they had extra to give. They didn't stretch or really sacrifice. They gave for good reasons, but not their all. It's a good feeling to be able to give to the causes one believes in, but you elevate yourself by extending yourself for the work in ministry and to help others. That is a real sacrifice that God will honor. In God's sight the value of such an action lies more in upright intentions and generosity of spirit than in the quantity that one gives. That's not to say that God is not pleased with the effort. But Jesus in this passage asks us to consider what our motivation is for giving and what is the outcome. Earlier this month, we heard Jesus talking about loving God with our whole heart, mind, soul and being, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. If you love someone such as a family member with that kind of love, you would give them everything you have. Shouldn't our love of God be the same? God gives us everything…our time, our talents and our treasure. What do you do with that and how do you give it back? It takes courage to let go and trust that God will see us through. The poor widow had courage and faith. Do you?
