Suzi Pitts

Luke 21:1–4
He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts in to the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put all she had to live on.”

As we read this passage, The Widow’s Mite, don’t you wonder who the “they” are? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be one of “all of them.” To grasp this story, we must accompany Jesus back a scene to see what proceeds this narrative. At the end of Luke chapter 20, Jesus is letting the Scribes have it. And who were the Scribes, you ask? Great question.  Think lawyers, those well versed in the law of Moses, and able to draw up contracts for all of life’s issues- marriage, divorce, inheritance, land sale. Scribes could also be Pharisees, but not necessarily so. They also knew the scriptures letter by letter, but perhaps interpreted “the letter of the law” as opposed to the spirit of the law and heart of God. So they had power. And they had money. And they weren’t fair. And, worse – they didn’t always follow the law themselves.

“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” -Luke 20:46-47

Cue the widow. We know that these two coins were the cheapest currency, the lowliest offering one could give. Yet, in her poverty, the richness of her heart of love for God shone through. We know something about widows back in that day. They were the most at risk. In fact, it was the spiritual leader’s job to provide for widows’ needs, and they are doing just the opposite, “devouring widows’ houses.” Hence, the rich powerful Scribes’ hearts of greed and sin are exposed and condemned by Jesus. While they thought that they had it all figured out, and were doing it just so, they had lost their way. Haven’t we all experienced that? While we are not out evicting widows, we may have found ourselves making one subtle wrong move after another and finding ourselves in need of a course correction. We need to find our way back to the heart of God. For me, this is where the invitation “to a holy Lent” leads – introspection, confession, repentance.

So, yes – this is a story about proportional giving and generous hearts of love of God. And it is also a story of corruption and power over the powerless. It’s a story of beauty and dignity in the clothing and humble countenance of the poor widow versus a lost one, looking perfect, dressed in a flowing robe. 

Father God,

Thank you for your Word. Each time I read, your Holy Spirit shows me something new. Please prick my heart when I am off course, especially when I think I am getting it perfectly.  Give us compassion for others, and for ourselves when we see the need to correct and go a new way. We love you and pray this in the strong name of Jesus, who came to die with our names on his lips so that we might live with you in eternity. Your grace is amazing. Amen