There's Great Power In Two-Mite Giving!

As Jesus sat in the temple near the treasury, He watched the people walk by and deposit their gifts (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4), especially noticing those who were rich. He then observed a poor woman throwing in two “mites.”

A mite was the least valuable coin in circulation at the time. It was less than a day’s pay for a common laborer (see buying power of ancient coins). Thus the widow’s gift was very small, amounting to nothing in the eyes of those giving their abundance. But our Lord saw what others did not see, for the widow had given “all that she had” (Mark 12:44). She wasn’t trying to draw attention to herself, but was simply giving what she was able to give — and our Lord noticed!

It may be nothing more than providing encouragement in difficult times (cf. Acts 4:36; Acts 9:26-27; 2 Timothy 4:16-17), or an unnoticed act of love and kindness to someone who happens to pass by (Luke 10:29-37). It may be a silent prayer for a neighbor (Acts 12:5), or for someone who is sick (James 5:14). Or it may be just giving someone in need a simple cup of cold water (Matthew 10:42; Mark 9:41).

We must never forget that the Lord sees all that we do (Matthew 6:4,6,18). And though it may seem very small to us, He notices what we willingly, and are able to give, whether it’s a million or a mite (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:1-3; Mark 14:8).

Just think, if it only took two mites for the poor widow to get noticed by our loving Lord, it won’t take much for the Lord to notice what we give, if we give it with the right attitude of heart as the widow did (Matthew 25:34-40; cf. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

Beloved, there’s great power in two-mite giving!

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets