While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

At this point, Jesus was only a few days from his death on the cross. It must have been dominating his thinking, and yet he noticed a poor widow. I suspect that no one else spotted her because everything about her was unremarkable – particularly her gift. It was such a tiny gift; most people would have thought that it was hardly worth giving. But Jesus saw it very differently. Alongside the big gifts of the rich people, her gift was very small indeed but Jesus knew that she had given everything she could. She had, in truth, given more than anyone else.

This beautiful little story is so precious because it gives us a deep insight into how Jesus works. He looks to the heart of things. What we are able to give will often appear small and insignificant, particularly when we put it alongside the enormous needs of our society. When you look at the number of people with addiction, broken relationships or sickness it doesn’t look very impressive when you are only able to give a little help to one person. But Jesus looks at our hearts. He sees our desire to serve him and he celebrates what we have done.

This story warns us never to look down on what we can do. Listening to someone in need, giving a small gift, praying for a friend, doing shopping for an elderly neighbour, supporting a charity or whatever it may be Jesus looks to us to do what we can – and he sees our hearts.

Question

Why is it so damaging to look down on the small things that we can do for God?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you that you value and bless what I am able to do, however small it may be. Amen