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.” Luke 21:1-4 NLT
We are so tempted to think that our gifts of time, talent, or resources are too little, not enough to do the job or even make a difference. But the life and ministry of Jesus recorded in the four gospels shows us consistently that whenever what we have is fully and willingly given to Jesus, He does miraculous work and makes it enough. Just a few examples include when Jesus attended a wedding where the obligatory wine for the guests was running out. The host, Jesus’ friend, was about to be humiliated before the wedding crowd, so Jesus stepped up. He had the servants fill the large wine containers with water – they had plenty of that – and He spoke to it. The water became even better than the original wine that had been served. Only the host and the servants and Jesus’ disciples even knew they had averted a crisis.
Then remember the hungry crowd of more than 5,000? They listened to Jesus all day and they were hungry, with nothing to eat. No one had known they would be captivated by the message and stay all day, so they were unprepared. Only one little boy had lunch, five little loaves of bread and two fish. (Every time I read this story, I think his mother deserves a word. She should have been “Mom of the Year!”) The little boy willingly surrendered his tiny lunch to the disciples for Jesus to use, and Jesus was able to feed the entire crowd and still have 12 baskets of leftovers after everyone was full! Jesus can use anything that is given to God.
That’s what impressed Jesus about this wonderful widow. The wealthy donors made a grand, noisy show of dropping in huge sums, amounts they could easily afford. The widow dropped in two lepta, translated as “mites.” A lepton was the smallest denomination of currency in Judea. Combined, the two coins were worth only a fraction of a penny. Human vision would likely view her gift as completely useless. But Jesus called His disciples’ attention to see the attitude and the sacrifice, not the spreadsheet. That’s what matters to Jesus still. He knew that her small gift with such a large heart and commitment was most valuable.
- Whether we are discussing spiritual gifts, talents and abilities, time, financial resources, or other tangible resources like your car and your home, nothing is too small if it is what we have. Every gift is given to us to serve God and others in love. When we respond willingly, Jesus does the miracle of multiplication again. What seems very small to Him is used mightily and brings us great satisfaction. What “little thing” am I withholding because I can’t see what God can do with it?