Our Two Copper Coins

Mark 12:41-44 (NIV) 

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.’ 

I love songs like ‘Happy Day’ and ‘Up & Alive’ - packed full of truth and declaring the freedom we enjoy because of what Jesus did for us on the Cross. On some days I find it really easy to engage with the lyrics and can sing along believing every word. On other days though, when situations in life can get in the way, even turning up to church can be challenging. 

I would imagine that life for the widow was particularly tough; yet her response was to give all that she had. For me this passage is a beautiful example of what worship can look like; not always planned and extravagant, but us just choosing to surrender whatever we have on a given day 

I think we can take two encouragements from this story. Firstly, Jesus’s response: he was pleased by the widow’s offering and looked at her heart rather than the value of the coins. We may not always feel like we have much to give, especially after the last 18 months, but even the smallest offering with an honest heart is pleasing to Jesus. 

The second encouragement is knowing what Jesus can do with our small offerings. In the same way that he took a few loaves of bread and some fish to feed the five thousand, we should be excited about what he can do with our copper coins. 

Prayer — Lord thank you that you can use us, even when we feel weak. I pray that you take our offerings and use them to impact our community and our city.