Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. (Mark 12:43 NRSV Bible)
The widow's offering in our scripture reading today said that she believed in the work of God. The work of the temple was important to her and she wanted to support it. Doubtless, it was with pleasure that she dropped in her coins for she knew she was part of something bigger than herself.

You know why people of limited means support TV evangelists? You may feel like I do about TV evangelist. I think they offer an impersonal religion and ineffectively use people's gifts. But people who support them feel that they are part of something important something far bigger than they are. There is a certain dignity about being able to give to something you believe in. It says that we are not simply takers but we are givers. We are all born with this need to give.

There was a reason that the widow spent her last few coins on the work of God rather than on herself. Perhaps she had discovered that valuable secret of her need to give, and she found peace in her giving. I hope each one of us will also find that peace.

Lord Jesus, you have given so much of yourself to me. Help me to give in such a way that I will find the peace of fulfilling my need to give. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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