Jesus Speaks to Women: A Lesson on Giving and Receiving

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21: 1-4

Once again, Jesus SEES what is not meant to be seen ... He NOTICES what is meant to be hidden ... He ACKNOWLEDGES what is thought to be too insignificant.

In this society of wealth, advances and progress, where we all seek to update, remodel and move up, gaining the favor of the rich becomes, even for churches and all non-profit organizations in general, a desirable pathway to tap into the means to accomplish our materialistic goals. Attracting donors that can give large amounts to our worthy causes is "a necessity." Funding our missions and projects is a goal that we try to fulfil by cultivating the gifts of those who can give out of their great wealth.

I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with that.  Actually, I believe that is a way to redeem money.  Giving as much as possible to the furthering of God's Kingdom is a command, and obeying it represents a very practical way to show our commitment to being good and faithful stewards of what we have been trusted with while in this life.  Giving out of our wealth is what we ought to do as a sign that we serve the One and Only God.

How often, however, do we ignore or not even notice/count/appreciate the gift of those who give out of their great poverty? 

In the non-profit organizations' world, there are parties thrown to recognize donors who  contribute grand amounts to projects and missions.  Little is the recognition to those who give sacrificially, all they have to live on.

Jesus, on the other hand, sees it all, great and small.  And in His economy, small is big and vice versa.  It's not that He didn't notice the giving of the rich, not at all!  He wants the rich to give, and to give it all.  But, I believe, the point here is to teach us to see that impressive giving not always comes in impressive amounts.  

The example of the poor widow, is used by Jesus to teach us how to truly see.

He is teaching us how to give our offering, but also, how to receive it:  give sacrificially, out of what you need to live on ... and...don't be so bedazzled by the shine of a large offering, receive it all with equal gratitude, acknowledging the gifts that are given in costly and painful obedience to the call of generosity and trust.

Jesus is not recorded as directly speaking this the woman in this passage, but, often, that's the way it is, isn't it?  The woman doesn't seem to know that her gift was, indeed, noticed.  As far as we can tell, by reading this passage, she didn't realize her offering granted her the praises of Jesus.  That's not why she did it.  And that's not why we do it either.  Even when we don't get the recognition that our pride secretly seeks, we can rest assure that there is rejoicing in the Heavens because Jesus always sees it...and it never goes unnoticed even if we are oblivious to His praise.

Dear Lord, may the example of the poor widow in this story guide us in our giving and in our receiving so we can be the good and faithful stewards You designed us to be.  Amen!