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Read Mark 12:35-44
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35 And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, "How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet."' 37 David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?" And the great throng heard him gladly. 38 And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." 41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
Jesus presents the widow as a model of faithful response to God’s Word, especially in contrast to the wicked greed of the scribes. She humbly submits even out of her meager resources, and by doing so, demonstrates dependence on God and devotion to the work of the Lord. In faith we desire to worship our Lord. We desire to be in his Word, but how much time do we spend examining the use of our money (or all resources) as an exercise of faith, as a response of faithfulness? Our hesitations demonstrate a need to do just that because the use of our resources is just as much an issue of faith. Whether our lives include meager means or great wealth, our dependence is always on the provision of God who not only created us but sustains us in our life.
Prayer
Father, all resources in my life are blessings from your hand. By your Spirit, guide me to faithfully use them according to your will. Help my trust and dependence to always be in you rather than the things of this world. Amen.