A Poor Widow Changes the World

The other day, I was reading Mark 12:41 and couldn't seem to move on in my readings. So, I kept reading and reading and reading Mark 12:41- 44, multiple times. I can't say I have any “special enlightenment”, but I really love the fact that "Jesus sat down opposite of the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd put their money into the temple treasury". He just sat there and watched them. That's one of my favorite things to do.... sit and watch people. Its kind of neat that Jesus sat and watched people. It shows his personhood. Sometimes, we make Jesus this miracle-man who floats about two-inches above the ground. The fact that he sat and watched makes me feel identified with and that is a miracle in itself.

The story goes on, rich people put large amounts of money into the temple treasury and the poor widow put in a fraction of a penny. A fraction of a penny! Sometimes I throw pennies away because they annoy me---I decided not to throw them away anymore since a fraction of a penny has contributed to history in many ways (I will explain). ;) Anyways, Jesus says, the rich "gave out of their wealth; but she [the widow], out of her poverty, put in everything--- all she had to live on." Her very livelihood she put into the temple treasury.

The thing that gets me is that she put the money into the temple treasury. If I recall, Jesus wasn’t exactly excited about the happenings in the temple, so giving to the temple treasury doesn't seem to be his focus, rather, the hearts of men (and women) as they gave. The widow's heart gave to the treasury, not out of obligation or "shoulds" or out of wealth, but rather with her heart. She gave to God with her whole heart while the rich gave of their excess and duties. I’d like to raise my hand and say, “I want to be like the widow”-- to offer my livelihood to Jesus. I don’t’ want to hold onto a piece of myself, but rather I want to throw my life and heart at his feet. This is another example of dependency. Who are we depending on to provide for our lives? Are we storing our treasures in barns out of fear or are we giving with our hearts in confidence that God is our sufficiency?

As I talked about this particular passage of scripture with Bart, he told me that he just had a conversation with Doug about this very passage. Perfect. I asked him what Doug said and he had the most interesting insight. In fact, I was a little perturbed that I didn’t have the same insight. I got over it though and marveled at Doug’s ability to look at scripture and come away with an incredible understanding. Doug said, the interesting thing about the poor widow who gave a fraction of a penny is that she has raised the most money in history. Think about it. How many times have you heard this passage in church, Bible Studies and other services? This story has touched hearts all over the world, throughout the centuries, all because Jesus mentions her heart in the Bible and her fraction of a penny. She has helped to raise billions of dollars.

This kind of stuff is super neat to think about. Its amazing to think the status of my heart could contribute to history in a very tangible, legitimate way and this is not because of me, rather because of Jesus who is watching. He takes my heart, my little livelihood and can make much!