The Poor Widow

Good Morning,

Mark 12:41-44 (NIV)
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

Uh, oh! Not another message about giving!??! And yet, another message about generosity?? Well, no, not exactly. Today just something as an observation and something that was made evident to me as I read this very familiar section of Scripture.

Jesus points out a fact that seems to be just as valid now, over 2,000 years after this happened, as it was then. What God sort of pointed out to me and reminded me of many observations in my life is the fact that it's the less fortunate among us, those with the least, who seem to be the most generous with what little they have. I thought about this for a while and thought, "Yes, it certainly is true. At least it's been my experience over many years by what I've seen."

Now, isn't that pretty amazing? Wouldn't one think that it would be those with the MOST who would be more generous and giving? And, along the same lines I suppose, wouldn't it be those with the LEAST who would want to hoard what they do have and not let any of it slip away? Wouldn't those actions...that which we would think of the wealthy and that which we would think of the poor...be more likely and normal to an intelligent human being?

Ain't the way it happens, folks! Not even close. As a matter of fact, the opposite seems to be the norm. Certainly I would never say that there are not generous wealthy people. And, conversely, I would never say that there are not poor people who are stingy with what they have. After all, people are people and there are differences among us all. However, what has been made evident to me this morning and the pictures that have been brought back into my mind bears out exactly what Jesus said those thousands of years ago.

I suppose the message to us would be that we search ourselves to see where, exactly, we fit into this sort of strange equation between what we have, or don't have, and what we give, or don't give. None of my business, by the way, to know what anyone does in this area of their lives. It is my business, however, to point out things that God makes evident to me...and then to send it along as He would have me to do.

Nothing complicated today. Very plain, very simple, and very clear.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David