putting their offerings into the treasury
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
We know where Jesus is going with this because we are familiar with this story. But let's be honest. What Jesus sees in the widow's offering is not what we see. We can't help but think, 'That's nice, but it won't make a difference.' We think we are called to commend the sentiment behind the offering while still considering the offering itself to be more or less useless. We need to realize that isn't what Jesus says about it.
He said, “I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
The currency of the Kingdom is self-giving. The rate limiter of Kingdom growth is not an absence of funds. It is an absence of love. Our eyes are darkened. We cannot see how this widow's offering does more to bring the Kingdom than rich people donating large sums. Yet Jesus assures us of exactly that.
Why is this true? It isn't the rich who enter the kingdom. In fact it is harder for the rich. This is so different from our way of thinking that we start saying, "Who then can be saved" (cf. Mat. 19:23-25)? Yet, "Were one to offer all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly despised" (cf. Son. 8:7).
What actually counts is love. And as J-Lo reminds the masses, "Love doesn't cost a thing." Well, it doesn't cost anything besides all that we are. The two coins of love of God and love of neighbor seem the least able to move the world. In fact, they are the only things that move it.
We do not ascend the LORD's mountain on our merits. We do not ascend it because we have enough coins. We ascend it of how much we long to see his face. Clean hands and sinless hearts are not purchased. They are given. They come from desiring God more than "what is vain." We can then put whatever worldly wealth we do have to the best possible use. Whether God is calling us to put it in an offering plate, to use it to support our families, or even to treat ourselves to a nice meal out, we will be able to accept his priorities in whatever situation we find ourselves. When we are fully given over in love we learn a new song that we can sing in situations like this.
They were singing what seemed to be a new hymn before the throne,
before the four living creatures and the elders.
No one could learn this hymn except the hundred and forty-four thousand
who had been ransomed from the earth.
Unless he teaches us this song it remains incomprehensible to us. We don't know what to do when presented with more than one good choice. When we are given over in love we are made able to follow the lamb. Even when several of the options seem good and valid we know where to go.
These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
Let this song swell like "rushing water or a loud peal of thunder." We are afraid that we will encounter this choice between providing for ourselves and others. We afraid we will encounter the limits of our own resources. We need not fear. Jesus teaches us how to sing in situations like this if we just surrender to his guidance.
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