The Widow’s Offering

Commentary

From the offering of this poor widow we learn that what we rightly give for the relief of the poor, and the support of God’s worship, is given unto God. We learn about a woman who understood the principle of giving. God doesn’t call us to give for the sake of giving. Giving is to be done as an act of obedience – “Obedience is better than sacrifice (I Sam 15:22)”

1. Jesus saw (v. 1) “And He looked up and saw (both the rich man and the poor widow)…” – He sees every part of our lives, including the intentions of our hearts. He cares about what we have given up for the sake of the gospel and He cares about what we have not given up.
2. This lady was extremely poor (v. 2) “A certain poor widow.” – This woman was not only poor but also a widow. Her source of all revenue, her husband, had died; yet she gave sacrificially. If there was anyone who had an excuse not to give, it was this woman.
3. She gave everything (vv. 3-4) “Cast in all the living that she had.” – In spite of her poverty this poor widow held nothing back. She gave all that she had; two copper coins or 1/8 of a penny. It would have made more sense if she had given one and kept the other for food.

Application

This widow gave all she had to live on, in contrast to the way most of us handle our money. I believe God measures my giving, not by how much I give but by how much I have left.