Two copper coins

Two copper coins

Bible: Mark 12:41-44

Reading

They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on (V.44).

Jesus sat in the temple near the money boxes and watched as people walked by and gave money to the temple (MARK 12). Some made a show of it, perhaps so others could see how much they had given. But then a poor woman came by and threw in two “copper coins” (MARK 12:42). A copper coin was the least valuable coin in Israel. So the widow’s gift was very small, more or less nothing in most people’s eyes. But Jesus saw what others did not see. She had given “all she had to live on” (MARK 12:44). The widow wasn’t trying to draw attention to herself. She was simply doing what she was able to do. And Jesus noticed! We mustn’t forget that Jesus sees all that we do, though it may seem very small. It may be nothing more than helping a kid out in class, sitting with a friend who’s upset or quietly praying for our family. But these things are definitely not nothing to God. Jesus said, “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven . . . Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you” (MATTHEW 6:1-4 NLT).

GOD LOOKS AT THE GIVER, NOT THE GIFT.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries