Gifts from the Heart
AM Psalm 140, 142; PM Psalm 141, 143:1-11(12)
2 Samuel 19:24-43; Acts 24:24-25:12; Mark 12:35-44
“From those to whom much is given, much is required.”
Jesus has ridden into Jerusalem triumphantly, but he will soon be sentenced to death. In the meantime, he sits down quietly in the Women’s Court of the temple to teach and do some people-watching.
Thirteen large, metal, trumpet-shaped offering boxes line the wall. The money serves many purposes, including a portion for the welfare of widows and orphans. As Jesus sits observing, he is intrigued by the two scenes that unfold as people queue up to deposit their donations. First, he sees the wealthy scribes flamboyantly tossing in loud clanking coins. Jesus then turns his eyes to a widow. Her coins hardly make a sound—except to him.
The scribes were historically the scholars entrusted with preserving and teaching the Word of God, but by Jesus’ day they have become self-seeking sinecure-holders. As they leisurely parade through the streets in their flowing white robes, people rise and bow to them. They are addressed with honorific titles and given seats of honor in the most important homes of Jerusalem. They pray loudly and long in the temple, wearing their piety skin-deep. But perhaps worst of all, some of them have “devoured widows’ houses,” taking gifts from those most vulnerable in a patriarchal society. Of these men, Jesus says: BEWARE.
Expecting no gain or glory, the widow drops in her “two mites,” (KJV), too little to sustain her for long but enough to buy her a modest meal. Why doesn’t she keep one coin back? Does she trust the temple authorities to support her in her desperate need? Or is this staggering act of generosity her last before going home to die of starvation? We aren’t told, only that Jesus tells his disciples, “This poor widow has put in more than all those…; for they put in out of their abundance, but she…put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
There’s a lesson here for Jesus’ disciples, who’ve earlier argued about who would get the best seats in his kingdom. This widow is the great one in their midst. And for us, the lesson is always to give from the heart, whether we’re dropping coins into the alms basin or scheduling through Tithely.com.
In a vestry meeting some years ago, we sat stunned to learn that someone had left about $1.5 million to St. Paul’s in her will. This strong-willed, independent-minded Fayettevillian, Clifton Reed “Tippy” McMichael, a lifelong St. Paul’s parishioner and early female graduate of the University’s business school, had lived a vibrant life despite crippling childhood polio and had invested well. With few heirs, she quietly left one-third of her estate to St. Paul’s. In turn, our church chose to set up an endowment fund, limiting its use to “enhancement” ministries, most notably the Tippy McMichael Lecture Series. Rather than leaving directions for a stained-glass window or any other memorial to bear her name, Tippy gave from a cheerful heart, without fanfare or applause.
Written by Kay DuVal
“Everyone must give as they have decided in their hearts, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:7