Omnes | Everything

"Everyone else gave what they didn't need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had. Now she doesn't have a cent to live on" -  Luke 21:4.

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Luke 21: 1-4: "Jesus was sitting in the temple near the offering box and watching people put in their gifts. He noticed that many rich people were giving a lot of money. Finally, a poor widow came up and put in two coins worth only a few pennies. Jesus told his disciples to gather around him. Then he said: I tell you that this poor widow has put in more than all the others. Everyone else gave what they didn't need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had. Now she doesn't have a cent to live on."

Money can be a hot topic, and Jesus was bold to address it. In this story, we see wealthy individuals donating large financial gifts at the Temple. While their generosity likely impressed onlookers and religious leaders, Jesus challenged his disciples to a different mentality.

“They’re giving from their surplus,” he said. “They won’t even miss the money they’ve dropped into the offering box.” Then he drew attention to the widow who gave only two coins. Compared to other donations, her few cents may have seemed a pittance. But Jesus valued them. More so, he valued her attitude. “She gave more than all the others,” he told his disciples. “Everyone else gave what they didn’t need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had.”

Jesus’ teaching about money matters still applies today. Some folks who donate large amounts to churches or non-profits receive special recognition or preferential treatment. Their generosity influences decision-makers and furthers personal agendas. Sadly, those who give less might be overlooked even though their gift may have required great personal sacrifice.

We’re to exercise caution lest we place more emphasis on the size of the gift rather than on the attitude of the giver’s heart. We also need to exercise caution about our own motives for giving.

Forget about giving in exchange for public recognition and focus on giving from a selfless love for Christ because of his selfless sacrifice on our behalf. Our giving ought to also reflect confident expectation that he will provide for our needs.

The widow’s account of offering her last two coins to God is priceless. She gave from a heart of love for him, and with faith that he would provide for her needs in the days ahead. 

Let’s value her role model as we seek to embrace Jesus’ teachings about money and to honor him with our finances.

Reflection on Luke 21:1-19 by Linda Sutrisno

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