All That She Had

Mark 12:43-44 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."



How many of us can truly say that we have given the Lord “all that we had?” Most of us, if we are honest with ourselves, are much more like the rich givers who gave out of their abundance rather than the poor widow who gave all. Jesus makes it clear that it is not the amount given but the sacrifice by which we give; and it is not about our bank account but our heart. The widow gave all her livelihood, therefore she could give no more. She emptied herself not knowing where her next meal would come. She placed her total dependence upon God believing that if she was faithful to Him, then He would be faithful to her. A key to this passage is that Jesus already knew the accounts by which each giver had to draw upon. It is He in His sovereign will who has given to us whether it be great or small. He is not impressed with large gifts given from our abundance. Instead, He rejoices in the smallest of gifts which are given in sacrifice. Which are these givers were rich in Jesus’ eyes? Certainly, it was the poor widow. She is rich in the kingdom of heaven.