WHICH IS FULLER, YOUR HEART OR YOUR POCKET?

Mark 12:41-44

⁴¹ He sat down in sight of the temple treasury room, and he watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large amounts. ⁴² A poor widow came and put in two lepta, which are worth a quadrans.[1] ⁴³ Then he called his disciples and said to them, “I guarantee you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. ⁴⁴ For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

new accounting system

If Jesus had judged the widow’s contribution by its comparative value, then her gift would have been practically worthless. But he judged her contribution by her comparative value. His was a new accounting system that took into consideration what people who just look at the bottom line do not know. He looks at the heart. Hers was a heart that gave out of love for God and his temple, and trust that this God will take care of her. That kind of love and trust is what God is looking for in a giver.

LORD, empty our pockets of loose change — that which does not satisfy, and fill our hearts with love for you and trust in your provision. Show us how good we can get at giving.

[1] the Roman λεπτον was worth about six minutes of an average daily wage, the κοδραντης about 12 minutes. This is what most consider loose change.