Jesus' Final Visit to JerusalemSample

The Widow’s Offering

Then, with the crowds listening, Jesus turned to his disciples and taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.”

While Jesus was in the Temple, he sat down near the collection box and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. He watched the rich people drop their gifts in the collection box. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”