The Widow's Poverty

and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.  He said, “I tell you truly, this poor woman has put in more than all the rest; for the others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood. Luke 21: 2-4

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When I hear the word poor, I usually think of no money…anyone else think that?  The story of the widow’s coins is a part of the Holy Week narrative, and it was one of many lessons Jesus was teaching during his final week.  Truth is, it’s not about money or earthly wealth at all but rather about humility, generosity, trust and the sincere condition of the heart. I pondered some areas of my life where I needed to imitate the poor widow because I missed the point of story and here’s what I came up with.

There are days when I’m short on patience.  My tongue can be snappy and my judgments quick.  One of the great casualties of being poor in patience is not being a good listener.  To be like the poor widow, I need to listen more than I insist on being listened to.  Lord, on these impatient days, help me know the wealth of loving those beloved of yours that come into my life.

Sometimes I’m short on trust.  When my trust is low, I decide to take control and try to do God’s work for him.  I tend to look to heaven and say, “I got this one God!”  I can tell ya how that usually works out.  When I’m low on trust, I doubt his love for me and the wisdom of his plan…silly me! Being like the poor widow means believing with all my heart that the Father’s plan is Heaven, and getting there is a beautiful story.  I can’t forget that I’m looking at one page of the story and He’s holding the whole book! Lord, on the days I lack trust, help me remember the only riches I should desire come from trusting you and being your disciple.

 I’m often rich in pride instead of poor in humility.   I forget that God organizes things specifically the way he needs them to be.  When money is tight or when success seems to find its way into someone else’s life it’s tough not to get discouraged.  Remind me of the wealth that comes from celebrating the good things that come to others because they are blessings from you.  We are like the poor widow we rejoice in the blessings of others instead of evaluating all the reasons it should have happened to us instead.  When I’m poor in humility; Lord remind me to keep my nose in my own journey.

 The poor widow showed us how to live in the present.  God has created THIS day and is inviting us to be with him here.  Yesterday is already finished, and tomorrow isn’t a guarantee.  The people, the opportunities, the joys and the challenges of THIS day are His gift to me and it’s my job to soak it all in and ask constantly through the day how to do his will.
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A Seed To Plant: As we prepare for the Glory of Easter, let’s take these last few days of Holy Week praying for ways to be like the poor widow who gave from the bottom of her trusting heart.
Blessings on your day!