41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. (Mark 12:41-44 KJV)
The Widow’s Offering
This story is not found in Matthew, but appears here and in Luke. It is Christ’s commendation of the poor widow who gave two mites to the treasury, which our Savior, though busy preaching, took time to observe.
There was a public fund for charity, into which contributions were made and from which distributions were given—a poor’s box in the temple. Acts of charity and acts of worship rightly go together; where God is honored by our worship, he should also be honored by our care for the poor. We often find prayer and almsgiving mentioned together (Acts 10:2,4). It is good to have public places for charitable giving, to encourage and guide individuals in giving to the poor. It is also good for those who are able to set aside a portion of their income for charitable use, as instructed in 1 Corinthians 16:2, so they are ready to give when a need arises.
Jesus sat opposite the treasury and watched how people gave. He did not envy what others gave, nor wish to control the funds, but observed what was contributed. Our Lord notices what we give for godly and charitable purposes—whether we give generously or sparingly, cheerfully or reluctantly. He sees our hearts and the motives behind our giving, whether we do it for God or just to be seen by others.
He saw many rich people put in large amounts, and it was good to see them be generous. Those who are wealthy should give generously. If God has given abundantly to us, he expects us to give abundantly to others. It is not enough for the rich to give only as much as those with far less; they must give in proportion to their wealth. If they do not see enough needs around them, they should seek them out and be creative in showing generosity.
A poor widow came and put in two mites, which make a farthing (Mark 12:42). Jesus praised her, called his disciples, and pointed it out to them (Mark 12:43). He told them she gave all she had to live on for that day—perhaps much of what she earned the day before—and that, because she gave it from a sincere and charitable heart, he considered it more valuable than all the contributions from the rich. They gave out of their abundance, but she gave out of her poverty (Mark 12:44).
Many would have criticized this widow, asking why she gave when she had so little, or why she didn’t give it directly to someone in need instead of turning it over to temple authorities. But Jesus commended her, so we know she acted rightly and wisely. If Christ says, “Well done,” it does not matter who says otherwise.
We must learn that giving alms is a good and pleasing thing to the Lord Jesus. If we are humble and sincere in it, he will graciously accept our gifts, even if some circumstances lack perfect discretion. Those who have little should still give from what they have. Even those who live day by day from their labor must give to those in need (Ephesians 4:28).
It is good to deny ourselves so that we can give more to the poor, not just giving up luxuries, but even comforts, if necessary, for the sake of helping others. This is how we love our neighbors as ourselves. Public charities should be supported because they bring blessings on a nation. Even if there is some misuse of funds, that is not a valid reason to withhold our support.
Even if we can give only a little, if it is given sincerely and in proportion to what we have, Christ will accept it. He asks us to give according to what we have, not what we don’t have. Two mites given in the right spirit count as much as two pounds.
It is praiseworthy when we give not only what we can, but more than we can, like the Macedonian churches, whose deep poverty overflowed in rich generosity (2 Corinthians 8:2-3). When we provide for others out of what we ourselves need, like the widow of Zarephath for Elijah, and Jesus feeding the five thousand, and trust God to take care of us, this pleases him greatly.