In Luke’s Gospel it says:
“Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, ‘Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’”
Luke 21:1-4
Why did the widow give two copper coins? Because she didn’t have three.
In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus presents a different way of thinking about generosity. For the Lord, it’s not the impact of the gift, but the intent of the giver, that deserves consideration.
Her upmost for the Lord
The Widow’s gift says a lot about what was important to her. And what was important to her was the Lord’s House… So important that she felt it deserved all she could give. And so that’s what she gave. Her intent was to give the most, her utmost, and the Lord noticed.
The truly generous heart desires to give the maximum gift, not the minimum acceptable amount.
How will you be generous?
What’s important to you? How will you be generous towards it? And whom do you care about? How will you be generous towards them?
This reflection by James Munk is excerpted from the Pray by Day App that helps Christians start, strengthen, and sustain a daily prayer habit.
Top image credit: The Widow’s Mite (Le denier de la veuve), 1886–1894, watercolor by James Tissot, in the Brooklyn Museum, New York. Image in the public domain.
James Munk and his wife Michelle and family live in Lansing, Michigan, USA. James is senior coordinator of The Work of Christ community in Lansing, and director of Kairos North America, regional youth program of the Sword of the Spirit.