Come & See: Life Lessons From Women In the New Testament Exemplo

Come & See: The Widow's Offering

Think back to your school days. I know whenever a teacher used my paper as a positive example in front of the class, I couldn't help but light up inside.

In today's reading, Jesus gives a little shout out to an unassuming woman. Jesus was sitting in the temple opposite to the offering box. He watched as the rich threw in large amounts of money to the temple treasury. But what caught His attention, in fact, who He decided to use as an example that day, was a poor widow who gave two small copper coins."This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others...”.

It's a recurring theme we see throughout scripture, less is more.

Jesus fed 4000 with 7 loaves and a few small fish, but fed 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish. He fed more with less.

The widow of Zarephath tells the prophet Elijah, "I'm getting ready to make a meal for myself and my son, so we may eat it and die." Elijah's response (my paraphrase): 'Um....that's nice, but could you first make me something to eat?' She does as asked and guess what happens next? “The jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry. God once again transformed less into more.

So, you think you have nothing to offer God. No talents, no gifts. I can relate. But I bet you have two coins. I bet you have a couple drops of oil.

Your assignment: Search deep in your pockets, deep in your pantry, deep in your heart. Give Him what you have and His Word tells us He will give you more in return.

It's okay if it's not much. He seems to do quite well with less.

We aren't told much more about this widow in the temple. Maybe she walked out and found two more coins in her pocket or knowing God, she probably found four more coins. Either way, I am certain, God took care of her every need. And I believe she left the temple that day, like I would leave class, with her countenance lifted.

If you think you have nothing to offer God, think again. God specializes in empty pockets and empty vessels.

~Binu