The Widow’s Might
Jesus and his disciples sit outside the temple. People pass the treasury box and make their gift. The rich throw their donation into the box with a loud clanging of coins. People look around impressed by their generosity. Not Jesus, he didn’t seem impressed at all.
Then a poor widow slowly makes her way to the box, head bowed not wanting to draw attention to herself. She drops in a couple of cents. Hardly anyone notices. Perhaps a few snigger. But Jesus’ eyes light up. He tells his disciples that this widow has put in the most. She has given all she had (Mark 12:41-44).
I don’t know how many people donated that day. Only one went down in history.
As I travel around the churches I have met many examples of this type of widow’s generosity. Many people give me donations, large and small, for the work of Baptist World Aid Australia.
At one church a single, aged pensioner gave me a little pink bag with two dollars worth of five cent pieces. I know that this gift was a lot to her. This is one gift that I remember. I still carry the little pink bag with me and I tell of her generosity to other churches.
At one such church a man came up to me after the service and shared how much the story touched him. He said, “I want to multiply that gift,” and give $200 to Baptist World Aid.
We thank God for all our supporters. It is the collective power of all donations that makes a difference through our programs overseas.
Andy Coller
Church Relationship Coordinator (QLD)
