The Widow of Mark 12

There was a certain poor widow whose earthly possessions included nothing save two mites. As Jesus sat against the treasury , he beheld how that the townspeople came and cast their money. He noted that the rich did cast much, but what attracted his attention were the actions of this poor widow. The scripture declares, " She of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." Mark 12:44(KJV)

Two mites (which was equivalent to four pennies) might not seem like much, (actually it was about twenty five percent of a Roman soldier's pay) but it was money she desperately needed to meet her needs. It was indeed her family's only provision. Jesus was impressed by this widow's devotion, but more importantly, her faith.

The old widow, though poor, possessed more than the rich. She understood the principle of sowing and reaping. She knew that giving to God meant her release from poverty. With that move, she attracted the attention of Jesus. The woman's attitude, the spirit in which she gave, the sacrifice she made, all appealed to the Savior. For the scripture declares, "that he who cometh after me must first deny himself, that is, forget about all that he thinks he possesses, and follow me."

Why was this poor widow more important, and how could the Savior who owns the whole world be interested in someone with four pennies?

Jesus knew the woman's heart, and that she gave not knowing what the future held for her. The rich gave out of their treasury with more to spare, but the widow gave all. Sound familiar? "For God so loved the world that he gave his (only) begotten Son. . .." God gave his all, and this woman gave her all.

I'm not saying that we can equate four pennies with the Savior of the world, but it was the spirit of this woman. She knew that God is all- sufficient, and little is much if God is in it. Sure it may seem like she didn't have much, but she knew the character of God; and that he loves a cheerful giver.

Jesus used this poor widow and the parable of the rich young ruler to emphasize how we cannot allow what we think we own to come between the Savior and us. We must completely sell out in order to follow Jesus because putting him first ( acknowledging that he is alone is our source, and that by him and through him does all things exist, He is our Sovereign Lord) keeps us first.

Remember Elijah and the widow who cooked what she thought was her last meal? Through her act of obedience, she ensured that she would never want again, and so did this widow with the two mites.

She cast in two mites, but what she would receive cannot be numbered. These parables illustrate how complete surrender to God ensures eternal provision.

By Naomi J. Brown