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Humble Hero
the minds of those who otherwise would have received a knowledge
of Christ’s kingdom.
You “devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long
prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.” The
Pharisees gained the confidence of devout widows and then pre-
sented it as a duty for them to give their property for religious pur-
poses. Having gained control of their money, the wily schemers
used it for their own benefit. To cover their dishonesty, they offered
long prayers in public and made a great show of being religious.
The same rebuke falls on many in our day. Their lives are stained
by selfishness and greed, yet over it all they throw a garment of
pretended holiness.
The Priceless Gift of the Poor Widow
Christ severely condemned abuses, but He was careful not to
lessen obligation. Someone else’s abuse of the gift could not turn
God’s blessing from the giver.
Jesus was in the court and watched those who came to deposit
their gifts. Many of the rich brought large sums with great show.
Jesus looked at them sadly but made no comment on their liberal
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offerings. Soon His face lit up as He saw a poor widow approach
hesitatingly, as though afraid of being observed. She looked at the
gift in her hand. It was very small in comparison with the gifts of
those around her, yet it was everything she had. She quickly threw
in her two mites [
“small copper coins,” NRSV
] and turned to hurry
away. But in doing this she caught the eye of Jesus, which was
fastened earnestly on her.
The Savior told His disciples to notice the widow’s poverty. Then
His words of approval fell on her ear: “Truly I say to you that this
poor widow has put in more than all.” Tears of joy filled her eyes as
she felt that her act was appreciated. Many would have advised her
to keep her tiny offering for her own use; it would disappear among
the many costly gifts brought to the treasury. But she believed the
service of the temple to be established by God, and she was anxious
to do all in her power to sustain it. She did what she could, and her
act was to be a monument to her memory through all time and her
joy in eternity.