Day One Mark 12:41-44
41 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.
43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
Discover
1. How much do the rich give in comparison to the widow?
2. By giving all that the widow has, what does that reflect of her view of Jesus?
3. What is Jesus teaching the disciples by telling them about the widow’s offering?
Respond
As Jesus watches and compares the offerings of the rich and the widow, He uses this as a teaching moment for His disciples. During this time, the two coins would have been an equivalent of a day’s worth of work for a laborer. In the eyes of Jesus, the widow gives more than those who are rich. Everything about the widow in their culture displays that she is not enough. However, Jesus shows that she is enough by affirming her faithfulness. Spend some time now reflecting on what it would look like for you to live out the faithfulness of the widow. Are you giving God your extra (money, time, etc.), or are you giving Him your all? Are you giving with the focus of quantity or the focus of faithfulness?
For Further Reading: 3 Helpful Challenges in the Story of the Widow’s Mite
For Families with Kids at Home
Oftentimes it can be easy for our kids to dismiss their own ability to make an impact, especially at an early age. But these verses above demonstrate that God cares WAY more about the heart behind the giving than any number, big or small!
Read the verses above, and ask your kids why they think Jesus said that this woman “gave more than all the others” even though monetarily, she gave less. Have a conversation around being faithful with what you have and putting it in God’s hands!
*TPCC does not necessarily endorse all For Further Reading/Learning sources. They are simply meant to be a helpful tool.