“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. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on'” (Mark 12:41-43)
This is one of the most well known and beloved stories about giving in the Bible. With typical grace and a shocking twist Jesus shakes the logic of the routine worshiper of His day. In fact, because we are so familiar with it that we face the danger of not allowing it to seep in and accomplish all that it is meant to do in our hearts. We walk away with the point…”when giving, it’s not about the amount”. But, what is it about? I believe that there is a principle of sacrifice here that could do us well to meditate on in this lenten season.
It is not just about how much she gave. In other places Jesus challenges His followers to give more and blesses those who give more. It is not about “how” she gave. We are not told that she came dancing down the aisle to put in her coins. For all we know, it may have been through tears. It is also about where the gift came from. For the widow, these coins were more than a gift…they were a sacrifice.
The rich gave from their wealth but she gave from her poverty. This is when this parable goes from familiar to uncomfortable. We are a rich people that can afford to give quite generously and that is not bad. When we have more than we need or when there is a little extra in the till we give. This would be giving out of our wealth. Let me point out that Jesus doesn’t condemn this generosity. He merely points out that this widow’s gift is worth more because it was a sacrifice.
What defines something as a sacrifice? In meditating on the sacrifice of Jesus we think of words like difficult, painful, selfless, heart wrenching and grief. We tend to remove the pain and “inconvenience” out of giving (sacrifice) in order to make it a little easier to do. The difference between a “sacrifice” and a “gift” is that one is given out of wealth and one is given out of poverty. Today, as you meditate on the sacrifice that Jesus made for you, think also about your calling and what you have “sacrificed” for Him.