Historically the widow has been lifted up as a woman of great faith and stewardship whom we should emulate: the one who may give little, but sacrifices everything, trusting in God to provide for her in the days ahead. And I think that’s part of it.
Being a widow meant more than that this woman’s husband had died. The term “widow” meant that she had no male protector: no husband, no father-in-law, no employed son to go out and earn money, no one to speak up for her. Scripture often connects widows with orphans, instructing the people to care for these, the most powerless in society. She was vulnerable and had very little.
And other than Jesus, no one saw her. The temple was busy; Jesus was watching the crowd giving their money, including the large amounts that the rich gave. The widow’s contribution, meanwhile, didn’t add up to much, maybe as much as a few dollars in today’s economy, enough for one small meal. The religious leaders wouldn’t have appreciated it. No one in the crowd noticed it. But Jesus saw. Jesus saw what she did, and what such a contribution meant to her. And he didn’t keep it to himself. Jesus pointed out its significance to his disciples, who hadn’t noticed her either.
Giving comes in many forms, big and small. But over the years I’ve heard doubts that one’s gifts are anything important. Or maybe we’re giving… and it feels like it isn’t enough. You have candy you can donate, but can’t stay to help. Or maybe you have the time and car to pass out candy at a Trunk or Treat, but candy has gotten incredibly expensive and you don’t have the mental capacity to dress up or decorate your trunk. Your gift is needed and appreciated. You may not be able to stay for the whole church meal between work and kids. But that casserole or fruit plate you can drop off really helps. You may not be able to stand for an hour and serve at the Community Meal, but you can sit and greet those who come in, or eat with those who come in for a meal and show them how much we appreciate that they are there. You may not have an hour to go chat with someone over a cup of coffee, but those few minutes as you’re grabbing groceries where you say hello and sincerely ask how they are can be incredibly meaningful. Or that phone call or a card to let them know that you’re thinking of them. Don’t compare your mites or minutes with someone else’s hundreds or hours. Mark’s story and the 1 Corinthians passage indicate that every gift and contribution is important, especially when it comes from the heart.
Our church is in a place where every minute, every gift adds up. Grabbing a box of donuts or animal crackers to host Coffee Hour. Greeting a visitor, even if they seem to have come to church with someone else. Grabbing a cup of coffee and chatting with others before church, or coming to the Gathering and Bible Study. Filling out the hymn request form for pick-a-hymn Sunday. Praying for our church, for our leadership, and for our ministry.
I know there are many among you who do give a lot; you’re constantly working and serving for the church. Maybe there are times that you feel how the widow might have felt: like you are giving your all, and no one appreciates it. Perhaps spending hours organizing & getting things ready for an event, and it goes unnoticed.
Know that God sees it. And God knows our hearts as we serve. Here, Jesus condemns the leaders whose hearts aren’t in the right place- they do it for show instead of for God. Well, the Gospel of Matthew chapter 6 tackles this particular issue when Jesus says that when you give to the poor, do it in secret. When you pray, do it in secret because “then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Give and pray for God alone, and from the heart. Because we may not always see it or say it regularly, but your gift is important. The pledges you make that we dedicated last week. The time spent caring for the garden, or making mashed potatoes, or preparing for Bible study, or hosting Coffee hour, or greeting a new face in worship. And God sees the smallest gestures that are done sincerely.
We also have the opportunity to open our eyes and see the widow, so to speak; we can notice what so many are doing. We do it for the glory of God, but recognition and help from our church family goes a long way. Consider how you might help, because we all have gifts we can share at every point of our lives. Even participation is a wonderful thing- to know that the event or outing is wanted, is appreciated.
To all of you who are giving your time, your talents, your donations, big and small: thank you so much for what you are doing. If you feel like you don’t have anything to give at this stage in your life- God has continued to bless you, and every mite and minute is important. There are different kinds of gifts, and service, and work, but it is the same Spirit, the same God behind all of it, working within us and through our church. Thanks be to God. Amen.
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