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

Dear Jesus, you and the widow confront my selfish heart on Tuesday of your last week. She gave all she had to your Father on a Tuesday. You were going to give all you had to your Father on the following Friday. I so easily get proud of my meager gifts. Yet I invariably leave for myself more than I give to you. None of my gifts have equaled your gift of your whole life for mine. Teach me deep in my soul to freely let go of everything I hold dear for the love of your Father and my fellow humankind. I lose only what I try to keep. I know you have secured my place in your heart by your generosity. You love those you have given to. I am thankful to be one of them. AMEN

Gifts are not measured by the decimals and commas between their numbers but by the beliefs and feelings in the heart that moved the hand to give.”

Additional Readings: 1 Chronicles 29, John 12:1-11