One day the Lord Jesus saw the people putting gifts of money into the chest or treasury of the temple. The money was to be used to keep the temple in good repair and thereby honoring to God. Many who were rich put in much. Then a poor woman came and dropped in two small coins, called mites, which together were only the value of a farthing (English money), or a little more than one-half cent of our money.
We would think so small a gift would be of no help for the great temple, but notice what Jesus said to His disciples about it: “Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 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.”
What Jesus Values
Jesus often used the word “verily,” which means “it is true,” but it meant even more when used by Him. “Verily, I say unto you” meant that He spoke with authority to them as no one else could, and about an important matter. He knew that the people who put in much money had plenty left for their needs and their comforts. He also knew what others would not give. And He knew that the poor woman had nothing left, not even for her needs.
It is good to know that the Lord valued those two coins. We see that He really counts what is left more than what is given, and that true giving is to give what we might use for ourselves.
The woman could have kept one of the coins for herself, but she put in both, willingly. It is not that the Lord needs the gifts — all really belongs to Him — but He has always given His people the joy of sharing in what is for Him.
When King David collected the gold, silver, precious stones, marble, wood and other things to build the first temple to God, he said, “Now ... our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name. ... All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee” (1 Chron. 29:13-14).
A Good Use of Money
In the time of the young king Jehoash, when the temple had been neglected, a chest was made ready with a hole bored in the cover for the people to put in gifts of money to repair it. Much money was put in, and the men in charge used it faithfully for material and for the workmen to make the repairs (2 Kings 12:9-15).
The willing gifts, large and small, honored God. His people now are not to keep a great temple, but there are as many or more ways for them to give to Him. They may help to provide His written words for others. They might also help those who tell of the Lord Jesus to those who do not know Him, as people of one town sent funds to Paul while he taught others (Phil. 4:14-17).
Many boys and girls now have more coins than the poor woman. If they have first given their hearts to the Lord, they will find joy in giving for Him.
The giving of the poor widow seems to have been the only thing which the Lord Jesus could commend in His visit to the temple, where all should have been for God’s praise.
Further Meditation
1. What other scriptures deal with how to handle our finances?
2. Who else was commended for their use of money?
3. To dig deeper into this subject, you might read Christian Giving by A. P. Cecil and others.