Devotion

The Widow’s Offering 

In the book of Mark, we hear of Jesus’s observations and teaching in the temple. 

‘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. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.​ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” 

As Jesus does, he looks at the heart, not outside appearances. Jesus saw what others offered to God and the offered a portion of their wealth. We aren’t told, but can imagine that there may have been a lot of fanfare and the people in the crowd were left without a doubt that they were in the company of the rich who were giving great amounts of money. Everybody knew about it.  

Jesus sees a widow. Being a widow in Jesus’s time was a hard life, without a lot of support in living by herself, and her wealth is a direct contrast to the rich people that everyone noticed. Possibly, Jesus is the only person who saw the widow. Instead of looking at what she gave, Jesus looked at how she gave. Jesus looked at her heart. The widow didn’t have or give much according to world standards. But according to Jesus’s standards, she gave everything! 

In all we give, whether it be money, talents, time or service, Jesus sees our heart.  

Dear Jesus, grant us hearts that aim to serve you and others. As you see our hearts, bless us in our giving, that others may be blessed. Amen. 

Jayne Zadow

Director of PYP, Teaching and Learning