Luke 21:1-4 | Acts 3:1-10
Is Jesus pointing out the difference between the offerings of the rich and the widow for us to aspire toward the widow? Or is he making a statement about the way things are?
Either way, he’s challenging assumptions about appearances.
And judgment.
…and what the church “needs.”1
Luke 21:1-4
Looking up, Jesus saw rich people throwing their gifts into the collection box for the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow throw in two small copper coins worth a penny. He said, “I assure you that this poor widow has put in more than them all. All of them are giving out of their spare change. But she from her hopeless poverty has given everything she had to live on.”
Acts 3:1-10
Peter and John were going up to the temple at three o’clock in the afternoon, the established prayer time. Meanwhile, a man crippled since birth was being carried in. Every day, people would place him at the temple gate known as the Beautiful Gate so he could ask for money from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he began to ask them for a gift. Peter and John stared at him. Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gazed at them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said, “I don’t have any money, but I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise up and walk!” Then he grasped the man’s right hand and raised him up. At once his feet and ankles became strong. Jumping up, he began to walk around. He entered the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God. They recognized him as the same one who used to sit at the temple’s Beautiful Gate asking for money. They were filled with amazement and surprise at what had happened to him.
Prayer
God,
I’m continually challenged by trying to see things from your perspective, with Kingdom eyes, in Jesus’ understanding of the world.
At the moment, I’m not sure what else to ask other than for your help.
Change my heart. Change my understanding. Change my vision.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
The temple treasury is of course not the same as a church offering. But hopefully you get the point.