Mark 12: 41-44 (NIV)
41 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. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
According to Britannica, in a March 1966 interview with The Beatles, John Lennon stated to a reporter that their group was more popular than Jesus. I was a small kid at the time, but I do remember in the years that followed people referencing Lennon’s comments in casual discussion. Fast forward to today, ask a middle school-aged young person who The Beatles were. They may or may not have any idea who you’re talking about. I used to pose that question each year to my new group of students, just out of curiosity. Most didn’t know who they were, or any one of a number of famous celebrities from the past. Fame is truly fleeting!
What makes for a person of fame in the sight of God? If God is judge, who is deemed “important”? Our scripture reference above has stayed with me over the past week or two. The NIV version talks about the rich people “throwing” large amounts of coins into the temple treasury. I’m sure you could hear the clanging as the coins hit the surface of whatever receptacle was used to collect the money. The message sent by this loud offertory was along the lines of, “Look at me! I’m somebody important!”
The poor woman in Jesus’ story simply placed her coins in the offering. There was no throwing of money, yet she gave the greater amount in comparison to her financial standing. Jesus recognized her for it, for all the world to know until time ceases to be.
There are numerous lessons to be learned from this simple story! What has stuck with me as of recent wasn’t the financial part, but the humility. Her giving didn’t need a thunderous, clanging announcement of wealth and accomplishment. It was a quiet sacrifice between her and God.
Sometimes we forget the power of simple and quiet acts of sacrifice to God. The smallest gesture and quietest act of kindness has power far beyond the hands of the giver. We each have great value in the sight of our Lord, even when we have one of those day where we feel insignificant.
Blessings to you this week as we quietly soak in the knowledge that ALL we give in sacrificial love matters! There is no gift of love too small in the eyes of God.
Diana Kongkeattikul
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