Widow's Mite
42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on." (Mark 12:42-44)
As was true in Jesus' time, we often imbue those financially well off with positive characteristics like intelligence, and decency while thinking less of those with limited financial means. If we only read verses 42-44, we might perpetuate this thinking by elevating the status of the widow for her great sacrifice without acknowledging the systems that encourage the poor to "give until it hurts" while the wealthy live in comfort and give a much smaller percentage of their income to the church and it's ministries. In the verses that immediately precede the passage above Jesus calls out this inequity.
38 As he taught, he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40 They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." (Mark 12:38-40)
It's easy, and comforting, to place ourselves in the role of the widow, but there's always someone living in greater need who would see us as wealthy. We are reminded weekly (even daily) that societal inequity breeds contempt that can boil over into violence. We must be ever vigilant to ensure that the widow's mite does not reveal a great weakness in our own character. While it's true that when we've done all we can, given all we can, and feel consumed, God's providential resources are never depleted, in gratitude for our own abundance we must be the hands and feet of Christ so that the financial burden of ministry doesn't fall on those least able to bear it.
Selah.
