Temple Treasury Offerings: Mark
on Sunday, December 26, 2021Mark 12:41-44 Money Quote saying Jesus recognizes that the wealthy are donating less than the poor as a proportion of their wealth. Mark 12:41-44 said:
“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on”” — Mark 12:41-44
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In this Bible verse, Jesus observes people making offerings or donations at the temple. He notices that many wealthy individuals contribute large sums. However, he singles out a poor widow who gives an extremely modest offering of just “two very small copper coins.”
Jesus then explains to his disciples that despite her meager donation being worth only a “few cents,” this widow has actually given more than anyone else proportionally. While the rich donated from their surplus wealth, she sacrificed all she had – “everything…she had to live on” according to the passage.
The best interpretation is that Jesus is highlighting how true generosity and sacrifice are measured not by the raw amount given, but by how much of one’s own resources are contributed. The small coins represented the widow’s entire livelihood, showing complete devotion of her limited means, whereas the wealthy gave only a fraction of their abundance.
Jesus appears to be commending the widow for demonstrating far greater commitment and trust in God through her donation than the rich donors according to the proportion of her gift.