Mark 12:42-44 - Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” (NLT)
Devotional Series: My Favourite Time of the Year
This week, I attended a short lunchtime Communion Service at Lambeth Palace. The bishop leading the service took his sermon from today’s reading. It was a short but challenging 5-minute sermon. I have heard many teachings on this passage. But what struck me during this particular message, was the bishop’s framing. He noted that like the rich in the passage, many if not most of us, give to God out of our wealth and not out of our poverty like the widow. We are willing to give to God and live lives of generosity when we have extra time, money or something else. Only if we are comfortable, then we are happy to give but not when there is a cost.
As I continued to reflect on his sermon throughout the week, I thought of this (imperfect) analogy, which has helped me to understand what it means to give out of my wealth vs out of poverty. In London, it isn’t unusual to see homeless folks sitting outside coffee shops at train stations. Like many people, especially in the colder months, whilst purchasing my own drink, I have bought a drink for someone sitting outside in the cold. I have been able to give out of my wealth. But I could not recall a time when I had given away a coffee when I could only afford to buy one. Meaning that the homeless person would have had a coffee and I would go without – a gift out of my poverty.
This everyday example is a reminder to me that it is always easier to give when I have more. It also taught me that even in my lack, if I am to look beyond myself, I might find I can be far more generous with the “small” that I have. To be clear, I don’t think it’s an either/or. I don’t think we are to either give out of our wealth or poverty. I think it’s a both/and situation. Our capacity to give is likely to change during different seasons and stages in life. But I think the call to give in poverty is a prompt not to exclude ourselves from giving when we have less.
December is typically a season of generosity, thankfulness and family. This year, as you think about what it means to be generous, why not consider what it might look like if you gave not just out of your wealth but also out of your poverty to God and those in your community?
Questions for reflection: Do I only give out of my wealth? Can I give out of my poverty when my time or finances are tight? Can I be more creative in my generosity? Have I prayed to the Lord about my giving?
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