The Widow’s Offering: Mark 12:41-44
Imaginative Contemplation
Why did Jesus sit down opposite the treasury in the temple?
What did he notice?
What kind of people were dropping money into the treasury?
How did people judge the donors? How did Jesus recognize the donors?
How did the disciples react to Jesus’ praise of the poor widow?
Enter into the scene
I came to the Temple yesterday. It is quite a long walk, and I have not felt very energetic lately. But God has been so good to me. My neighbours give me food, so I don’t have to cook any more. You see, I am a widow with no children, and my mobility is not so good these days. But I have such good friends, the Lord be praised! Someone gave me some money for my birthday, and I thought, what can I do with this? Then of course, I remembered. God has been so good to me! I will give this money to him. That is why I came here today.
I went into the Temple to where the donations box was. I saw a number of obviously rich people dropping in large gold coins, and people would look around and nod approval. I looked at the two coins in my hand. They didn’t look much. They wouldn’t help with the upkeep of the Temple. Why bother? I could go and have a meal at the place in the outer court. Why bother with my small gift?
Oh, why am I thinking like this? People might not appreciate my gift, but I know that God does. I waited till the rich people had moved on, and then I sidled over to the treasury, placing my gift in and hardly hearing the thud as it fell to the bottom. I thought that no one had noticed me, but then I saw this quiet man sitting close by. His clothes were very ordinary, so I felt safe that he would not be critical of my small gift. He got up, came over to me and shook my hand. ‘Good on you!’ he said. ‘I reckon you have given more than all those rich fellows who gave what they have left over. Indeed, God will greatly reward you for such generosity!’
What a wonderful encounter! I must learn more about this stranger.
For further reflection
Discuss with Jesus the following points:
Discuss with Jesus the following points:
Do I donate to worthy causes? Do I discern how much and to whom I donate?
Do I make sacrifices in order to give to others? For example, do I refrain from afternoon tea at a café so that I can give to a worthy cause the money I would have spent on myself?
Do I give secretly, or do I make a show of my gift?
Do I make judgements about others from what I happen to observe?
Am I generous with praise of the good deeds of others?
Prayer
Lord, teach me to be generous, to give and not to count the cost. Amen.