THE IMPOVERISHED WIDOW
by Kristine Stanton © 2024AS JESUS WAS TEACHING IN THE TEMPLE A "large crowd listened to him with great delight,". . . HE TOLD THE CROWD TO "Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property," (Mark 12:37–40, NLT).
LATER, "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.[j] 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,'" (Mark 12: 41–44, NLT).
One day while in the Temple courts
a crowd had gathered 'round
to hear a very wise man speak,
whose words were quite profound.
They were enthralled—they were intrigued
by His authority.
He mentioned those who had great wealth
and those in poverty.
And as He spoke, He warned against
the Teachers of the Law,
who liked to walk in flowing robes,
but carried many flaws.
They thought they were much better than
the local populace.
In synagogues they wanted seats
of honor—nothing less.
And shamelessly they seized the homes
of widows on their own.
These crafty Teachers of the Law
would reap what they had sown.
Now as this wise man, Jesus Christ,
continued His teachings,
He witnessed many in the crowd
give money—offerings.
The rich had tendered tiny parts
of their surplus that day.
It was a widow who was poor
that gave two coins away.
These coins were all that she possessed—
the money she had owned.
She gave out of her poverty—
this widow—all alone.
Her portion was far greater than
all others had to give,
as this was all this widow had
on which she was to live.
