The Widow's Mite

Wealth. Poverty.  

These are words that should convey absolute truths. You’re either wealthy or you’re not. You’re poor or you’re not.

And yet these are words which are relative.

We shared a meal last night with a wonderful woman who spends her life in a remote part of China, where she helps in whatever way she can to improve the lives of people living on the edge. I mean really on the edge. She lives in a place where people trafficking is rife, where careless words cost freedom, where freedom of movement is limited or denied, where children all receive education in boarding schools controlled and run by the state. 

She has returned to the UK for a visit, and expressed surprise at what she has found. While still abroad, she read of the tough times imposed on many here by the austerity budget and poor economy, and yet she fails to see poverty as she knows it. 

I write that while working on the setting up of a local food bank to help those who are going to bed hungry in this area. We have identified a need; she fails to see real deprivation.

Jesus sat outside the Temple with his friends. A poor widow approached the giving bowl and dropped in a couple of tiny coins. Mites. So small they failed to make a noise – the ostentatious givers made sure their gifts clanked and rattled when they put them in, so that others would notice and remark on their generosity.

The widow gave to God everything she had because she loved and trusted him.

Jesus looked at her and he loved her. He knew that she was giving away everything she had to live on, trusting God to provide for her. In a society with no social safety net, she threw herself on God’s goodness to look after her. 

Does all this talk of austerity and tightening the belt inspire people to give more to help the growing number of poor (however that is defined), or to give less because they fear the future?

Society will only be as caring as we make it ourselves. It’s not up to the government. It’s up to you and me, digging deep.

Jesus saw the widow, and he loved her.