Luke 21:1-4 NRSVue
1He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; 2he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them, 4for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
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Reflection on Luke 21:1-4
Inspiration from 2025-11-24 Daily Prayer
It is one thing to give out of your abundance, but quite another thing to give away the little you have to live on. But God is the One who gives us every moment of life, and the scriptures and the lives of the saints contain many stories of his endless providence and generosity.
You may wish to recall any of these stories or simply take Matthew 6:25-36 and pray on it.
Further reflection
The trust of the poor widow was seen by Jesus. I ask for God’s help to see the best in the small and impoverished everyday gestures that I might notice. I bring these moments before God for blessing.
Talk of recession makes us cautious. Generosity can be a sign of the goodness of God. In a time of constraint it may be all the more necessary.
Jesus admires the poor widow because she gave her all.
What does it mean to give my all? Could I do it? Is it wise or advisable? Have I seen others do it?
What is this "giving all" that Jesus admires so much?