1 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
I am reminded of another time in Scripture where a poor widow gave all she had and the blessings that she and her son reaped. The story takes place in the Old Testament. There had been no rain in the land due to the disobedience of God’s people and famine was occurring yet we find God supplying His prophet Elijah with water from the brook at Kerith Ravine. Interestingly, the ravens also, commanded by God, would bring Elijah bread and meat in the morning and in the evening. When the brook dried up, God commanded Elijah to go to Zerephath and remain – a widow would be there to supply him with the necessities of water and food. Obediently, Elijah sets off to Zarephath. The story continues:
10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" 11 As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread." 1 Kings 17:10-11 (NIV)
Did you catch that? There has been no rain in the land – meaning nothing to drink and nothing to eat and Elijah is asking her to supply him with water out of her want - not her plenty. His need is to have his thirst quenched and she selflessly complies. When she leaves to get him a drink he yet calls out to her again to bring him some bread too! Hell-o, does he not understand her predicament of being a poor widow trying to support a son through a terrible drought and famine in the land (unfortunately, this would have perhaps been my poor reaction!)? Yet her response to Elijah is this:
12 "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it--and die." 1 Kings 17:12 (NIV)
Recognizing Elijah to be an Israelite, and her status to be a poor Gentile widow, her words spoken to Elijah represent an appeal to Yahweh to confirm to the prophet her present position of need and lack of supply. Her statement also affirms her belief that God was indeed alive. While yet willing to share, this poor widow has nothing of which to give. Elijah replies the following:
13 Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'" 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:13-16 (NIV)
It is very interesting to me that throughout Scripture, while we may find many shaking in their boots as they follow God’s will in obedience to His commands, God constantly sent forth those three wonderful words: “Don’t be afraid”. I guess the two words which closely followed or were perhaps implied would be: “Be obedient”. They were not to be afraid and they were to do what He commanded – just exactly like we are supposed to do! And so from Genesis to Revelation the story goes. The command is given by God – the obedience is expected from man. How often we shirk the responsibilities of our duty, capriciously living as if what we do does not somehow matter – big mistake here! In the instance of our verses for today, Scripture sheds more light:
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 (NIV)
The idea of “firstfruits” is also brought to our attention – giving to God off the top and not the bottom. This certainly does not pertain to money only, as shown by this poor widow in sharing her food and water, but also for our talents, time or whatever else God has blessed us with and instructed us to freely use for His glory and honor. God greatly desires and rightly demands our obedience in this. Interestingly, one can never out give Jehovah. Whatever we give as a sweet smelling sacrifice to Him, He so abundantly blesses they we are left wondering over any hesitancy we may have had to begin with.
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. Mal 3:8-12 (NIV)