Article October 27, 1951 Issue

THE WIDOW'S TWO MITES

ALVINA E. ECKER

In the Gospel of Mark it is related that Jesus once sat and watched the people as they cast money into the treasury of the temple. When he saw a poor widow cast in two mites, he called his disciples and said to them (12:43, 44), "This poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."

The Master's appraisal of the widow's offering was not in terms of money. In his clear perception of true substance he recognized her offering as symbolical of pure faith and trust in God, as unselfish love for humanity.

We are told that the two mites she cast in were "all her living." This would seem to indicate that she made a great sacrifice. It is helpful to note the definition of sacrifice as given in a dictionary. The noun is defined in part thus: "Anything consecrated and offered to God;" and the verb means "to ... give up, renounce, or destroy, for an end regarded as superior." It is easily seen, then, that the widow's sacrifice was not in parting with her two mites, but in renouncing or giving up her dependence upon them as substance "for an end regarded as superior." In turning from matter to Mind one consecrates his thinking to God. Thus he sacrifices nothing of real value, but gains immeasurably in spiritual substance. This was what Jesus was teaching his disciples: that Spirit is the only true substance.

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