Luke 21:1-4  (NLT)

The Widow’s Offering
21 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

Each year, we try to make the holidays bigger and better than the year before. We frantically search the aisles and spend hard-earned money on the perfect gift. At Christmas, we feel the need to go above and beyond for show. So, we fill stockings to the brim and meticulously decorate the tree. 

Luke 21:1-4 reminds us that Jesus is not impressed by our status, wealth, or online following.  

In Jesus’ day, most widows lacked the means to support themselves. Without a husband or children to provide, they relied on welfare from the church or the kindness of strangers. As the wealthy placed their gifts into the treasury, a widow placed two small copper coins in the offering. She gave only a few cents, but she gave all she had. 

You can imagine the widow trying to hide her gift, embarrassed at its lack of size. But Jesus saw the depth of her sacrifice and called attention to her faith. The gift most likely to be seen as insignificant and the person most likely to be overlooked is the one Jesus brought to the forefront. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the celebration and forget the person we’re celebrating. Jesus came so everyone — the poor and the wealthy, the curated and the chaotic — would have an opportunity to know their Father in heaven.

Those who have a lot and those who have a little can both lose sight of what matters. Jesus cares far more about the spirit with which we give than the amount we give. He longs for us to feel the same way (Matthew 6). 

What if this Christmas we gave others the same attention Jesus gave the poor widow? What if we looked past the stuff to see a person’s heart? We might just help someone take a step closer to their heavenly Father. 

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