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Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put
money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor
widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Mark
12:41–42
If you were in charge of the Temple treasury, which would you
prefer? The rich putting in large sums of money? Or one poor widow
putting in two small coins? Of course, an honest answer to that
question might be hard to give. Much good can be done with large
sums of money, right? Wouldn’t it be better to accept more than a
few cents? The dilemma one would experience in this situation
reveals a misperception that we regularly encounter in life. Is
more better than less? Is wealth better than poverty? Is success
better than failure? It all depends upon the spiritual reality at
hand.
Take, for example, success vs. failure. Say one person sets off on
a selfish and immoral business venture that quickly produces a huge
income. Many would consider that a success. Say another person
prayerfully sought to fulfill the will of God and started some
other business. After years of trying, that business failed and
went into bankruptcy. Which situation is better? Clearly, the one
who sought to fulfill the will of God is the winner. Why? Because
the spiritual fruit of fidelity to the will of God, despite worldly
setbacks, produced an eternal treasure more valuable than earthly
wealth.
God judges the heart, not the worldly outcome. In fact, from a
worldly perspective alone, Jesus’ life was a complete failure. He
was arrested, charged with a capital crime, beaten and killed. His
earthly kingdom—desired by many of his followers—was never
established. Many of them abandoned Him when He was killed. Even
after He rose from the dead, He didn’t establish an earthly
kingdom.
Of course, in the spiritual realm, the realm of eternal realities,
Jesus’ life was infinitely successful. His death destroyed death
itself, and His Resurrection enabled all who believe in Him to
share in eternal life. His spiritual Kingdom is now in full bloom
and will one day be visible to all.
Back to our original question. If you were in charge of the Temple
treasury, and you were given the same option that Jesus pointed to
of receiving the large sums of money from the rich, or the two
coins from the poor widow, it would certainly be better to accept
the two coins. If that is hard to comprehend, then it is a sign
that you live more according to the values of the world than the
values of the spiritual Kingdom of God. The poor widow gave more
than two small coins; she also gave the spiritual gift of her
generosity and complete trust in God. She gave all she had and
trusted that God would take care of her and use her gift for good.
This is infinitely more fruitful for the building of the Kingdom of
God than the gift of someone's excess of money. God does not need
our money, but we need to give it, be detached from it, and be
ready and willing to give everything we have, all that we are, our
entire livelihood to God. This is trust. This is a spiritual gift
that will have far greater eternal ramifications for the salvation
of souls than all the money in the world.
Reflect, today, upon the compliment Jesus pays to this poor widow.
“She, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole
livelihood.” Do you contribute your whole livelihood? Do you
dedicate everything you have, all your energies and gifts, and all
that you are to the service of God for His glory? We are called to
give everything to God—not just a portion of our lives. Reflect
upon how well you imitate this poor widow and seek to follow her
holy example.
Most generous Lord, You gave all that You had and all that You
are out of love for the salvation of the world. Help me to imitate
Your total gift by returning all to You, entrusting my entire life,
all that I am, and my entire livelihood to You. Jesus, I trust in
You.
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