Former Blackout Artist

[Jesus said] “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” Luke 21:6

“Would you look at this! It’s magnificent! I wonder how much it cost to build this thing?” They were in complete awe, like little children today the first time their parents take them to Disney World.

These beautiful white stone marbled columns supporting the roof; the solid gold fascia trim wrapping around the porticos, so brilliant in appearance that is was like looking directly at the sun; perfectly sculptured stones weighing over 180 tons; adornments of precious gems, gold, and silver; beautifully polished brass gates that wrapped all around it.

Inside the temple just moments earlier, Jesus and his disciples had witnessed something that we would describe today as the difference between the haves and have-nots.

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
– Luke 21:1-4

And no sooner than they walk out of the temple, his disciples couldn’t stop talking about the impressive splendor of it all. The scene with the widow was lost on them.

But what she did wasn’t lost on Jesus.

He wasn’t impressed by those who flaunted their wealth and status, offering a generous gift to the temple treasury. No, what stood out to him was this poor woman, a widow, who gave all that she had to live on. How wonderful it is that what may seem tiny, trivial expressions of faith and love do not go unnoticed by our Lord and Savior!

“You’re impressed with this temple. But I, on the other hand, am not impressed by this temple. I’m impressed with this woman who faithfully gave to the point of hurting. What she did will be remembered forever. But these temple stones you’re admiring? They’re temporary. Not one of them will be left intact. They will be toppled and destroyed.”

“Friend, God doesn’t need our money. If God needed our money, then how much we give would be more important than our heart in giving. Instead, it is our privilege to give to Him, and we need to give because it is good for us, not because it is good for God.” (David Guzik)