The Widows Mite

“In the accounts kept by the recording angels, figured out according to the arithmetic of heaven, entries are made in terms of quality rather than of quantity, and values are determined on the basis of capability and intent. The rich gave much yet kept back more; the widow’s gift was her all. It was not the smallness of her offering that made is especially acceptable, but the spirit of sacrifice and devout intent with which she gave.”

 (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, pp. 561-62.)

When thinking about the Saviors words and those that followed his words, the Widow comes to mind. The Savior told that to inherit eternal life we must forsake all and follow him. The widow walked in and gave her mite, the only one she had. To onlookers it was a very small amount, almost too small. Compared to others that had given the Widow had only given a tiny amount. The Savior said that she gave more than them. How can that be? The widow gave everything she had. Those that had more, didn’t even compare to that. The prices they gave might have been higher, but the real amount of what they gave did not compare to that of the widow.

                Not only did this widow give everything, but she did it ungrudgingly. She had the desire to give her all. Compared to the young man that didn’t want to sell all his riches to Christ, she willingly gave it. To me this is a great example. Sometime we think that we don’t have enough money to compare to what someone else might give to the church. There are other ways that we might feel inadequate compared to what someone else is doing or giving. I think the most important thing to remember is that it doesn’t matter what someone else is giving or doing. We shouldn’t compare ourselves to someone else. If we can look inside ourselves and know that we are doing everything we can and giving our all, I think we can be happy with ourselves. Not caring what others are doing and just taking care of ourselves is the key. When we are giving everything we have to the Lord and we know that, we will be happy.

It is not about what we don’t have, but what we do have and what we do give.

“On the books of the heavenly accountants that widow’s contribution was entered as a magnificent gift, surpassing in worth the largess of kings. ‘For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.’”

(Talmage, Jesus the Christ, pp. 561-62.)