A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. (Mark 12:42 NAS95)
We all know the story of the widow’s mite, but what about digesting the message it carries about what I value and what God values? This story reflects what it means for the first to be last and the last to be first (Mark 10:31). Even today, in my world, valuing what God values does not come easy, but I know I need to learn.
I cannot speak to the predominant values of this widow’s culture as well as I can to mine, but I don’t see a large gap between them. For the opportunity it affords, my Western culture — no, not just the culture, but even me — naturally values large amounts of money. Wealth, in any form, can tap into heart values, including signaling God’s approval or relieving insecurities and fears about meeting tomorrow’s needs. It can easily replace my trust in God. Cultural forces can be so strong that I don’t even realize its value on wealth has replaced my desire to value what God values. Sometimes I need a story like this widow to see what really has a hold on my heart: God or something else.
The widow wants to give and go unnoticed. Maybe she feels embarrassed about the amount? Yet she desires to support God’s work. She, herself, understands that according to her culture, her gift doesn’t mean much, not even one cent in today's terms. More than likely it means nothing in comparison to the rich people who just preceded her with fanfare. Yet Jesus saw her trust, her leaning into God and His Kingdom for what’s next— and He praised it! The widow valued God’s work, His ability, His presence, His love and care. She trusted Him with all she had and now had to count on Him for her tomorrow.
Do I do that? Do I trust God with what I possess? Or does it possess me, preventing me from trusting God’s love, and possibly doing what He desires? The poor widow, whom the world would look at as one who is last, entrusted her heart and future to God, making her first in His eyes. She valued the Kingdom and its ways rather than the ways of men. Things like this story make me wonder whether I value what God values, and whether my life actually reflects trust in His love. Am I valuing Him and His Kingdom first?
For Reflection:
“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.” (Psalms 118:8 NAS95)
- What sorts of things do you trust in that keep you from experiencing the love of God?
- What role does giving play in developing your relationship with God?
