November 10, 2024

Mark 12:41-44

In this reading, Jesus sits down to teach opposite the treasury at the synagogue, where people were adding their contributions.  Some rich people were giving large amounts that they could well afford to give.  Then a poor widow came forward and put in two small coins, which were all she had. Jesus told his disciples that she put in more than all the other contributions combined, because, in her poverty, it was all she had, her entire livelihood.

God does not care about money or need money, obviously.  What matters to God is the intention, what is in your heart.  The poor widow, putting her trust in God, gave in a sense her whole self, her entire heart. 

Rather than feeling important as the rich contributors might have, as people watched them give large sums, she was poorly dressed, a humble figure, in the lowest status of society.  Yet she bravely came forward out of faith and yearning for God, and Jesus saw her beautiful heart and commended her.  God values that kind of faith more than all the easy donations.