What if the way you measure your faith isn't the way God measures it at all? That's the question Jesus drops right in our lap in Mark chapter 12 — and He uses one of the most quietly powerful moments in all of the Gospels to make the point.

We've been watching Jesus disrupt systems, confront religious leaders, and flip assumptions upside down. And He does it again here, but this time it's subtle. He simply sits down near the temple collection box and watches. Rich people filing past, dropping in large, visible, attention-drawing gifts. And then — one poor widow. Two small coins. And Jesus turns to His disciples and says she gave more than all of them.

Here's what I want us to really sit with today: giving can be just as performative as anything else. Those offerings were dropped into trumpet-shaped boxes in a very public space — and if you were giving a lot, everyone knew it. Sound familiar? Because not much has changed. Jesus even says about people who give for public recognition, you've been paid in full — meaning the applause here on earth? That's your reward. Full stop.

But this widow? She had every reason to hold on to those two coins. She had no husband, no legal protections, no guaranteed income. Those coins may have been her next meal. And she gave them anyway. That's what Jesus noticed. Not the amount — the dependence. Not the performance — the trust.

We also talk about something that I find really freeing once it actually sinks in: everything we have already belongs to God. He gave it to us. So when He asks us to give, He's not asking us to sacrifice what's ours — He's inviting us to participate in what He's already doing. And friend, He can do it with or without us. But he's asking, do you want to be part of it?

So here's the honest question I'm leaving us all with today: if someone separated your calendar and your bank account from what you say you value — what would they actually find? Because that's where the real audit happens.

Want More?

• 📖 Read along: Mark 12:41–44 (and the full chapter for context on the religious leaders Jesus confronts just before this)
• 🌍 Organization mentioned: Compassion International — one of Nicole's favorite global organizations providing wraparound care for children in need. Learn more at compassion.com
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