Mark 12:41-44
The Widow’s Offering
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’
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Having put money in its proper place as one type of wealth among many, the next question that comes to my mind is 'why talk about money at all?' After all, Jesus told us to pay to the emperor that which is his, and pay to God that which belongs to God! Shouldn't the church just keep out of our financial lives?
I read something that forever changed the way I see this passage from Mark. What the author discussed was that Jesus spent time watching people put money into the treasury--he did so to watch how people gave, so clearly it mattered to him, or else he wouldn't have paid attention at all. So it matters what and how we give.
Just as we spend more time and energy on things that matter more, we spend more money on things that matter more to us. Our finances reflect our priorities and our choices--clearly, it is absolutely vital to this woman that she give to the treasury. What would your spending say is important to you? If Jesus was to review your checkbook, what would he say your priorities are?
It matters how we spend, because how we spend helps determine the kind of people we are. If we are generous with our money, it shows our generous hearts. If we are greedy and fearful, that reveals something, too. May we give freely, and may that shape us as a people who depend on God and give back in gratitude.
Blessings
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