The Jews – like many people today – believe that wealth indicates God’s favour and that poverty is a sign of his censure. But Jesus has already indicated something different. He has previously spoken out, for example, on the difficulty for a rich person in entering God’s kingdom (Luke 18:24,25).

Although there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with being super-rich, the challenges to leading a godly life are many. Wealth offers a false sense of security, which easily blinds us to our dependence on God. Material possessions so readily take the place of God in our hearts.

How does God measure our giving? From what Jesus says here, it’s related to the amount of sacrifice involved. The widow’s gift is sheer extravagance (v 4). It’s not what is given, but how it’s given.

Remember that there were many people in the Bible who were rich (Abraham, David, Barnabas, for example) but who still followed God wholeheartedly. Perhaps the truly rich are those who are completely free from the attraction of material gain.

‘In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.’¹

Luke delights in mentioning women who are role models of discipleship, including Elizabeth, Mary, Anna, the anointing woman, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, Mary (and Martha), Mary mother of James, Tabitha, Mary mother of Mark, Damaris, Priscilla and ‘many others’.² Luke’s vision of mission includes women and men, without partiality, engaged together in God’s work. The woman in our story today is a splendid example. 

Remembering that chapter divisions are not original, we should read this with Luke 20:45–47 in mind. The woman is one of those whose homes are being devoured by the Jewish leaders, yet she stands in contrast to the wealthy, who should be setting the example of authentic piety. She is unnamed, perhaps reflecting her seeming insignificance. Still, she is a beautiful example of one who loves God with her whole being. Her act of worship is simple and pure. She puts two small copper coins (lepta),³ in one of the 13 trumpet-shaped receptacles for the Temple offerings. Jesus notes her act. The rich give out of their excess. She gives all she has out of her poverty. This does not write off the rich – what they have done is good, but what she has done is better! She exemplifies Christ’s invitation to seek first the kingdom of God.⁴ She calls to mind the Macedonians who, from extreme poverty, gave lavishly to the Jerusalem collection years later.⁵ 

This is one of the most challenging moments in Scripture. We must let it confront our idolatry – our consumption and materialism. The gospel calls us to resist this god that Jesus called ‘money’;⁶ serving God, living simply and contently while giving generously to God’s work. We who are rich must give more cheerfully.⁷ The poor give what they can. We must confront injustice at every turn.

Pray for women in the world and the church who experience injustice. Pray that we will give more with joy.

¹ 2 Cor 8:2  ² Eg Luke 8:3  ³ 1/128 of a denarius  ⁴ Matt 6:33  ⁵ Rom 15:25–33; 2 Cor 8:2  ⁶ Matt 6:24; ‘money’ in NIV  ⁷ 2 Cor 9:7