“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark 12:41-44)
Our UPCI Tennessee Ladies Conference was in March of this year. I serve on the committee, and with that role comes various responsibilities to insure the inner workings of the conference go smoothly. One of those tasks is taking up the offering, and sorting the bills into similar stacks in order for it to be counted and bundled.
The committee members sat or stood around a large conference table where we each dug into our lime green offering buckets. There were all of the standard assortment of denominations. A few $100 bills, and then more of each as they lessened in monetary value.
I was going through the process of pulling a few bills out at a time, separating them by kind, turning them all to face the same direction and placing them in stacks. Bills are often rolled or folded together. If you’re fortunate enough to be the one of those working the offering (sarcasm intended), these bills slow the process because you must unfold or unroll them, and this takes an extra step in the already tedious process.
I do realize, because I’ve done it myself, many people fold or roll their bills in order to keep the amount of their offering private from those sitting closest to them. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I felt a moment of frustration when I reached down into my bucket, and pulled out a tightly coiled set of bills. It was going to add another fifteen seconds of unrolling, and then unrolling once or twice more to conquer my spring-coiled nemesis. Plus the added three seconds of additional flattening.
It always amazes me, though it shouldn’t, how the Holy Ghost can move into a natural situation, and turn it into a divine encounter. That’s exactly what happened here. I finished unrolling the offending bills, and laid them on the table, and began to see them in a different light. The amount was $21. However, something was niggling at the edge of my thoughts which suggested imminent shame of my earlier frustration. Specifically, the denominations of the bills. A $20 and a $1.
This unknown to me lady had both bills in her purse. As the lime green offering bucket passed in front of her, she could have given one or the other. She had options.
1. She could have given the smaller bill, and kept the larger for herself. It would have paid for an item from the vendor booths, her lunch or gas for her car.
2. She could have given the larger bill, and kept the smaller one for herself. It would have paid for a candy bar from the vending machine, a bottle of water or it would have been a perfect small bill to reserve for a grand child to put in the Sunday School offering at home church the next day.
Many present that day likely had the same options, myself included. This dear lady acted on neither. Instead, she opted for a third choice. She rolled both bills tightly together to keep her giving private, and then she gave it all.
It was as though God opened my understanding, and allowed me a window into this precious lady’s heart, and it broke me. It convicted me of feeling frustrated over mundane, yet necessary tasks. It softened my heart toward one unknown lady in a vast sea of feminine worshipers and givers. It inspired me to give more of my time and resources for the Kingdom even when no one will notice. It solidified my belief that one person, one word or one action, no matter how seemingly insignificant, can change one life, one mind and one world exponentially.
The poor widow in Mark 12 will forever be remembered for giving of her lack when everyone else was giving out of their abundance. In like manner, I hope this anonymous lady will be remembered for giving all when she could have held part back for herself.
Precious sister who I may never meet this side of eternity, your selfless giving broke me, convicted me, softened me, inspired me and changed me. May you and yours be blessed with God’s greatest blessings, and may they be more than you can contain in a lifetime. In Jesus’ name.
“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark 12:41-44)
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38)