The Offering

The Offering

Q: Why did Jesus say the widow had given more than all the rest of the people who gave?

• a. She put a large amount of money in the offering.
• b. She was more important than they were.
• c. She gave all she had.

Often rich men or women will donate money to a worthy cause. They may give enough to construct a hospital wing for research or special treatment. They may donate enough money to build a library or a college dorm. Those buildings may be named after the donors. Then people will know who gave the money to fund the building.

In Jesus’ time there were collection boxes in the Temple for the Temple tax and for offerings. Jesus sat by one of these boxes and watched the people drop their money in. Some rich people gave large amounts, others not as much. Then a widow entered and dropped two small coins into the box.

When Jesus saw that, he told his disciples the woman had given more than all the others. He meant that even though the rich gave a lot of money, it was still only a small part of what they owned. But the widow had given all she had.

Jesus wasn’t looking at how much the money was worth but at the giver’s heart. The woman gave all she had out of love for God. The rich sometimes gave a lot to appear righteous. But they didn’t give generously out of love for God.

A little given joyfully counts more than a lot given grudgingly or out of duty.

For You

Be sure to give some of what you have to God. But give it because you want to, not to be noticed or to impress others.

Answer: c

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”   Luke 21:3-4

(The Whole Story: Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4)