Article March 26, 1977 Issue

The Widow's Mites-Being Active Now

THOMAS GUY SLATER

Why did Jesus give unrestricted approval to such a trivial action as dropping the smallest of coins into the temple treasury? His words were deliberate and specific. "This poor widow," he said to his disciples, "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." Mark 12:43, 44;

Why did Christ Jesus rate her gift of two mites as having greater weight than the contributions of many wealthy people? Obviously he was illustrating an important truth.

The people of wealth enhanced their public image with little effort. Their future looked rosy, their past had no doubt been comfortable, and the present was satisfying. The woman was a member of one of the most deprived groups of that time, a widow. Her past had been sad, her future looked bleak, and the present was harsh. The rich men's gifts required no sacrifice of their affluent situation. Her gift called forth a supreme effort of sacrifice. She was exercising her generosity and a higher sense of trust, in spite of a sad past and evidently with no thought of waiting for a better future.

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Entering by the Door
March 26, 1977
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