(1) Historical background
(IVP) A later tradition claims that thirteen receptacles for such gifts stood in the Court of Women, accessible to Israelite women as well as to men. The temple sported ostentatious [boasted] wealth, and its officials would probably waste this widow’s money; but this powerless woman, ignorant of that likelihood, acts in good faith and is the greatest giver in God’s sight. The widow would not starve, given provisions for the poor in Jewish synagogues (cf. comment on Acts 6:1–4). The widow’s “mite,” or lepton, represented the lightest and least valuable coin of the period.
(NET) These two small copper coins were lepta (sing. “lepton”), the smallest and least valuable coins in circulation in Palestine, worth one-half of a quadrans or 1/128 of a denarius, or about six minutes of an average daily wage. This was next to nothing in value...she evidenced great faith and gave out of her extreme poverty everything she had.
(2) Imagine that you are the widow
Your husband had died and since then you had lost the ability to make a living. Every day you had a hard time to find ends meet. Like today, all you had was only 2 small pennies. Jesus, as well as others, could tell from your appearance that you were a poor widow. However, after worship in the temple, you still obeyed the Law and wanted to help those poorer than you among the congregation. You felt in your pocket that you had 2 small pennies and nothing left. The wealthy people gave many coins and the coins made a lot of noise when they were thrown into the treasury box. If you give just 2 pennies there would be hardly any sound people would hear. Would you give or to keep them for yourselves? Or give 1 penny and keep 1 for yourself? Why would you give all that?
(3) Repeated word:
the poor widow has put more...than all the others v.43
All gave out of their wealth v.44
But she,...put in...everything she had v.44
Out of their wealth v.44
Out of her poverty v.44
Jesus' praise to this poor widow was absolute. Jesus did not look at the face value, but He knew people very well. What is our financial situation and how much we gave. These are counted in His evaluation of our offerings.
(4) Reflection
Obviously, the poor widow's offering represented her faith and her trust in God. She knew where her money came from and Who has been and will sustain her. Do we trust God because we know that He has been protecting and sustaining our needs? After we do our part in our relationship can we let go of the result. No matter what the other parties do to us, we know that God is in control.
On the other hand, she was not shy to give when other wealthy people have large amounts of coins and she could only give 2 small ones. She knew she did that for the Lord, not man. Do we obey God no matter what others think about us?
Audrey
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