The Widow’s Coin
At the entrance to the Temple of Jerusalem, there was placed a treasury, that is, a collection box, in which worshipers put their freewill offerings for the Temple.
Jesus Christ sat down opposite the treasury and watched the multitude putting their offering into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow came and put in two copper coins, which make a penny, the smallest denomination of money. Such a gift might seem to people scarcely worthy of notice. But the Lord, who sees into men’s hearts, pointed out to His disciples precisely this humble gift of the poor woman. The Lord valued her gift for its internal worth. Having called His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.” She contributed her last coin and, by so doing, consecration to God everything that she had.
Note: See the Gospels of Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4.
by Fr. Seraphim Slobodskoy)