Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For all of these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:3-4)
In this passage we see that Jesus sees more than just the amount of money that is offered, he also sees the heart of the giver. While many were giving large sums of money, Jesus remarked that a poor widow put in more than all the others, for she gave away all that she had to live on. This must have been confusing to the disciples.
Immediately following this event, which is recorded in both Luke 21 and Mark 12, Jesus states the temple will be so completely destroyed that “not one stone will be left on another.” Is it possible that the disciples, being impressed by such large offerings, were looking at the beauty of the temple and thinking of all the wonderful things that this money could buy? Yes, money can buy beautiful things, but then Jesus tells them that the temple will be completely destroyed.
From this passage, we see that Jesus looks beyond the amount of the offering into the heart of the giver. Jesus knows your heart, too. When you give an offering to the Lord, what does your heart look like? Do you offer gifts out of your surplus, or do you give sacrificially? Do you trust that God will provide for your needs, or do you trust your own ability to save, invest, and provide for your own future? Do you give grudgingly or happily? Do you give to impress others?
What happened to this widow when she left the temple? Did she sit by the side of the road and beg for food? Did she become homeless? Did she starve to death or die of exposure? We don’t know, as Luke doesn’t tell us. Yet, we are not concerned about her welfare. Why not?