Today’s devotion covers Mark 12:41-44.
“41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums.
42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.
43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;
44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44.
It is easier for rich people to give “out of their surplus”. They don’t need what they give as an offering to survive. But, the poor widow gave the two small copper coins which she needed to keep to buy food.
Nothing is expressly said here about the poor widow’s faith. But, her actions speak louder than words. Her offering was a demonstration of faith. She trusted God to provide food for her through a different source (other than through her two coins) and keep her alive.
“16 Better is the little of the righteous
Than the abundance of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken,
But the LORD sustains the righteous.
18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless,
And their inheritance will be forever.
19 They will not be ashamed in the time of evil,
And in the days of famine they will have abundance. …
25 I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or his descendants begging bread.” Psalm 37:16-19 and 25.
Nothing is expressly said here about whether or not the widow was a cheerful giver. I think we tend to imagine the widow as sad and sour and slow as one would expect an old widow in poverty. But, her actions speak louder than words. The widow was not afraid to give at the same time as the rich people. She could have given when no one was looking, or she could have asked others to make the deposit for her. But, this poor widow seems eager and cheerful and willing to participate in the offering’s festivities at the same time with the rich people.
“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 