Do you remember the story in Scripture about the widow giving two mites? Luke 21:1-4 says, “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, ‘Truly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.’” (NKJV) God has given me deeper meaning of this passage as I have seen a client who I believe is the modern day widow of this story. For privacy and security reasons I will identify this client as Pam.

Pam is not a widow. She is a client who is in an abusive relationship. As far as material possessions, Pam has very little. She has been coming to GAP for several years now but in the last few months we have noticed a great change in Pam. It is evident that Pam has accepted Jesus Christ. However she told us that her husband will not allow her to attend church. A few months ago, Pam came into distribution and pulled Kathy over to the side. She reached down into her worn out purse and pulled out a handful of change and placed it into Kathy’s hands. The following month, she brought a wadded up paper bag of change. This month she was unable to make it to her appointment but she sent some money with a message saying, “I wish it was more but I had to buy my medicines this month.” Pam gives financially to GAP because of the blessing GAP has been in her life. She told us that she wanted to give so that others could be helped when in need, just like her.

In this story we learn that although this widow’s gift was the smallest in monetary value, it was the greatest in sacrifice. The value of a gift is not determined by the amount but by the spirit in which it is given. A gift given grudgingly or for recognition loses its value. When we give, we must remember that gifts of any size are pleasing to God when they are given out of gratitude and a spirit of generosity.

Pam’s story and the story of the widow are stories of great encouragement to those of us who may have few material possessions but a great desire to give to God. It is amazing how we can approve the widow’s action, praise the action of Pam and agree with Jesus’ verdict without imitating their examples. If we truly believe as we say we believe, would we not do exactly as the widow?