Mark 12:28-44; 1 Kings 4; 1 Kings 5; Hosea 7:3-16

“Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.” (Mark 12:42 NKJV)

She probably hoped that no one noticed her as she slipped those mites into the treasury at the Temple. It was a small offering, especially in the scope of the magnificence of the Temple. The Old Testament reading reminds us of how much work went into the building of the Temple. Yet she gave what little she had hoping to escape all notice. Jesus noticed her though. Jesus didn’t ridicule, like some of that time might have. He praised her because He realized that, proportionally, she was giving far more that the big donors who kept the Temple running: she gave enough to pay for her next meal, not knowing if she’d have another, perhaps. That’s why Jesus said that she put in all that she had to live on.

I’m on the finance committee at my church and one of those duties is that I help count the offerings on occasion. Often, I’ll open an envelope that has a small monetary donation and no name on the envelope. I wonder if there’s no name because people might be ashamed that their offering was so small. I thank God for those donations because I believe that these people were giving in faith, like this widow. The same principal applies to serving in the church. I think people believe that the small things they do don’t make a difference. The truth is that everything we do to serve God out of love and thankfulness for what He’s already done, builds the Kingdom of God. We don’t serve to get salvation, of course, but we serve out of the joy we have because of our relationship with God.

Lord, remind me that small things we do, or the small amounts we give, become great in Your eyes as we give and work in thankfulness and faith. Remind me that Your kingdom grows as all Your people do the little things we can for Your glory.