Affordable Charity
And He saw a certain poor widow putting in two small copper coins. Luke 21:2 NASB
Copper coins – A lepton was the smallest coin used by the Jews. It had a value of about ¼ of a penny. In common parlance, it wasn’t worth the paper it was written on. It’s hard to imagine that you could buy anything for ¼ cent. But the two lepta that the widow deposited into the temple treasury far surpassed the large sums given by others. We have all heard this story as an example of giving, but we may have missed some of the details that make it so important.
First, of course, is that fact that the widow had two coins. She could easily have said, “I’ll give half of my assets to God.” Fifty percent! How many of us even come close to such a sum? If someone came to us and said, “I want to give half of my finances to the Lord,” we would be amazed. Certainly no one would have begrudged the widow keeping only half. The opportunity was there, but she didn’t take it. She gave it all. Everything! Why?
The only reasonable answer is that she had utter confidence that God would care for her. No one would give it all unless God’s sovereign care dominated that person’s faith. The watchword of such faith is trust. Period! Most of us would call such a woman an absolute fool, especially in the first century. A widow – that means no human support, without property rights, left to fend for herself. No welfare, no social services – you get the idea. Without trust in God, she dies.
Second, this story illustrates the Kingdom principle of giving. It isn’t about 100% donations. It’s about tsedaqah. Torah requires tsedaqah toward those in need (Deuteronomy 15:7-8), even if they are strangers (Leviticus 19:34). The prophets declare tsedaqah more valuable than worship rituals (Micah 6:6-8, Hosea 6:6, Proverbs 21:3). When the widow approached the treasury, anyone who witnessed her act should have stepped forward to assist. Allowing her to give all she had without offering tsedaqah exhibited the sinful insensitivity of the audience. The widow’s action honored God and condemned the crowd.
As I write this short study, I feel that same condemnation. I don’t give from my need. I give from my excess. Of course, that is a tithing principle. It’s not 10% and it’s not 100%. The measure of value is determined by the proportion of need. Agape is benevolence toward others at cost to myself. I don’t need to ask the question, “Should I give?” Tsedaqah requires that I give! I need to ask the question, “What is the cost?” If the answer comes back, “I can afford that,” then maybe I don’t really know the value of a lepton.
Topical Index: tsedaqah, lepton, charity, tithe, give, Luke 21:2
Both in the testimony of this widow, (which BTW, caught the attention of Yeshua- even in the crowded surroundings) and in the testimony of the little lad and his lunch we are witness to the kingdom principle: our G-d is a Jealous Lover. He doesn’t want our 10%. He wants our “absolute surrender.”
I may not be able to emphasize this enough,but I’ll make a feeble attempt. Brother Skip loves his wife no doubt, but I cannot believe he is so selfish as to want her all to himself. Skip!- I’m surprised at you. Of course- she probably feels the same way toward him, wanting “all” of him to herself. – What “selfish” people! – Or are they? Wasn’t this the plan and purpose of Elohim from the beginning? The two shall be one flesh. Two’s company- three’s a crowd- “but out, Buster!”
Our G-d is a jealous Lover, -not a doubt in my mind. And He will do just about anything to get our focused attention. (you listening to me?). “Yes, dear..” lol!
Need another “whack” with that two-by-four? Or how about one of those bunker-buster bombs? You think one of those might penetrate our obstinance? Get with the program mister/m’am.. “Listen to Him.” “Shema” His words. G-d wants (and deserves) the “all” of us.
What would this include? – Ten cents out of every dollar? No. “All of our time, our talents, our treasure, our testimony, our teeth and our tongues.” Lock, stock and barrel, we (all) have been bought (as in owned) with a price. We now have a new Master! Welcome to the household of faith! Yes, Bob (Dylan) was right..- “we are gonna serve Somebody..” Remember the “nots” of scripture? Totally upside-down, inside-out thinking. Here’s another one: the way up is down.. and the way of Victory is through surrender. “I surrender all..- I surrender all. -All to Thee, my blessed Savior..- I surrender all.” Amen. This is (brother Skip)- “the truth-stamp.” These are my words,- now will my walk live up to my talk? -I’m going to need some help here..- Will G-d “be there” for me, to enable and empower me, both to know and to do what pleases Him? lol!- Yes, He will- every time. I must learn to be G-d dependent. “Without Him, I (also) can do nothing.” Again..amen!
I teach our required, foundational hermeneutics class at Ashland Theological Seminary- Detroit.
I am thankful for your illustration.
It is a reminder of how I look at the tithe: it is an expression of our trust in God to meet our needs through the giving of that which others feel is for the meeting of our needs.
In our hermeneutics class we refer to this type of word-picture as a synecdoche: when a part stands for the whole or the whole stands for the part.
In this case, my part (tithe) represents the whole which God has given me stewardship … and further, again, represents my trust in Him.
Oh to have the faith ps this precious woman in Luke 21.