Saturday's Scripture Story
for the Week
The Widow’s Mite
Luke 20:45-21:4
45 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
21:1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
Pondering Point
In this story from God's word, it is interesting to find out that the Widow's Mite (21:1-4) encounter follows Jesus talking about the Pharisees mistreating widows by robbing them of their houses (20:45-47). What you don't find is this: Excuses from the widow. The widow does not allow poor (ungodly) human treatment toward her as an excuse to quit
trusting God Himself. In the midst of having almost nothing – possibly because she's been mistreated by God’s people – she continues to trust God for her needs and chooses not to hold onto the one small thing that might help her when "no one else is."
God may not provide for us in the most well-known or expected ways, but He will always provide. The Apostle Paul lived by this mindset as he served in the name of our Lord Jesus:
Philippians 4:11b-13
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have
plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and
every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in
plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me
strength.