The Widow's Offering

July 14, 2020

Jesus uses a teachable moment to highlight two different ways of having “open hands.” He makes clear the way that He desires for His followers to have open hands. As you study the story, allow it to speak to you and listen for what God might be prompting in you. 

STUDY THE SCRIPTURE

Click here to access the reading from Luke.21:1-4

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REFLECTION

Faith Sprinkled with Generosity

by Tom Richards

In preparing for this post I looked at some verses preceding today’s reading. Jesus is in the temple with his disciples sitting in view of the “treasury” where offering boxes were located. (This is certainly no coincidence). He has responded to some “trick questions” from the Jewish leaders and then speaking to his disciples while surrounding people were listening, he says (Luke 2-:46-47) “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”  The story of the widow’s offering then follows.

Widow’s houses in verse 47 refers to goods and substance. This statement provides some interesting background. The very people who should have been setting an example and caring for widows were instead taking their resources. Jesus is clearly not happy with this situation and states “Such men will be punished most severely.” In addition, it is interesting to note that following the story of the widow’s offering Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple, Luke 21:6 -- “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another, every one of them will be thrown down.”

The widow shows incredible faith in God with her giving, looking past circumstances and people that likely exacerbated her situation. Her faith is ultimately in God, the one who made her, the one who loves her, and the one who can save her.

When times are good it is easy for me to be faithful and “give out of my wealth” but when adversity comes, I can struggle. The widow’s faithfulness is a great example for me to follow during difficult times – even times like these…

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