Love is the True Measure

Jesus shares our joy when we give.

Jesus[a] looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.[b] And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”-Luke21:1-4

I have encountered many poor people in my life. If I ask them about their daily survival, they would say that what money they have, they save it for their needs. Their needs involve food, clothing, water, needs of the children in school and so forth. Now that's a responsible poor! However, there are those who are in deep poverty but still spend whatever they have to gamble or buy alcoholic drinks, drugs and cigarettes. The result, they become poorer and more hungry still.

I consider the widow a responsible poor. Yes, she saved what little she has for a higher need. But this higher need happens to be giving to the temple treasury. Fascinating isn't it? A widow and poor at that. It is expected of her to use what little she has for her survival - including food, clothing, oil and other household needs. But she believes that the crucible and core of her survival is God, through God and in God alone.

Normally, any person would think of his/her survival first and foremost. But the poor widow anchored her survival to God. Simply fascinating! Our life depends on survival and ensuring that every thing and every need is there within reach. We tend to forget that there is a God who ensures our survival and needs to live, except the poor widow.

Is God saying, then, that we should imitate the poor widow? Yes and No. If we can happily and readily give all that we have to do the Church and not regret it afterwards, then our sacrifice is one that will truly touch the heart of God and the hearts of men and women. But, if we will only regret, cry and be angry if we give everything to the Church, then, much better not to do so. God appreciates a generous giver. But the generous giver must be happy in what s/he is giving to others.

It is not the amount that matters to God. Rather, it is the amount of love that we give that truly matters. As what St. Paul said to his first letter to the Corinthians chapter 13 verse 3, "... If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing." Love is the true measure of charity.

Image by: Zeferino da Costa (The Widow's Mite), Hunger Games (Katniss Everdeen), artist