Luke 21:1-4 (NIV)
The Widow's Offering
1As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Background information:
Back then, women had little rights or power in the society, so they did not have the right to have jobs or make living for themselves, that is why they marry in a young age. Before they are married, women depend on their parents to provide for their daily needs in order to live. After they are married, they depend on their husband to provide for them.
Widows were women who's husband had passed away. If a woman's husband died, then she would have to marry her husband's brother because they wouldn't be able to live on their own. There are two possibilities for a woman to become a widow, either a woman's husband did not have any brothers or she has remarried to all her husband's brothers but they had all died.
If either of these situations happened, then, she would become a widow and be ranked in the society as the poorest of the poor.
Although the widow in the parable, was the poorest of the poor, but she still gave all she had (two small copper coins) as an offering to God.
My Interpretation
When Jesus said that the widow has given more than the others, he is partly true and partly false. First of all, I'm sure Jesus doesn't mean that the widow has given a bigger amount of money than the rich, but what Jesus meant was that, because she gave with her heart, the value of the two copper coins worth much more than the expensive gifts that the rich offer. Second of all, it is true that the widow has given a bigger amount compared to the rich. She has given a bigger amount because she gave 100% from what she had. Apart from the rich, it might seemed that they gave a larger amount of money, though actually from the total amount that they owned, they only gave 10% as an offering to God.
The widow is a good example to us. We should learn from her to give our offerings willingly with our hearts and to give 100% to God.
hey hazel, nice video,though the video is kind of fast. The first picture showing the hand and the two coins was really powerful. I really understand how the widow had gave more than the Pharisees.
ReplyDeleteYour first picture meant a lot. It showed how a small difference could mean so much. You gave detailed background information about women and widow. Your interpretation has been well delivered.
ReplyDeleteThe first picture made me realize just how little the widow offered. But it was all she had. The background information helped a lot too. Awesome Job!!!
ReplyDeletehey it's me natalie so (:
ReplyDeletei really found your background info helpful. It clearly explained why widows would have been poor back then in Jesus' day. I find it really admirable that the widow could give all she had to the temple. The pictures were really meaningful, especially the first one, which shows that although she only gave a little, it actually is alot. Good job!
This is Brian. I like how you included a Youtube video and your background info was well written. The photos you included was very attractive. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI really like the way you include your video and the pictures you added was really good. It was attractive and written really well. Nice Job!
ReplyDeleteI like how u had a youtube video in here, and the pictures help explain the story.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a powerful story, and it made me stop and think how much i am devoting to God...
ReplyDelete~Annika
Hey Hazel,
ReplyDeleteI like the pictures you chose, they really convey the meaning of the story and a widow's life. I also like your application, it taught me that what I do on the outside doesn't really matter, because God always looks at what's in my heart.
Hey Hazel,
ReplyDeleteGood job! I thought your background info was very helpful because you can fully understand how hard it was for the widow. This makes it all the more clear to me how giving the little she had was a huge sacrifice.
It reminds me to give with an open heart and not judge others who might not give much because it's about the attitude you give with, not the amount.
this is a great story. it displays how selfish the Pharisees really were, and how generous someone can be, when they give from their heart. something we could all learn to do. wouldn't the world be a much better place, if everyone gave as freely as the poor widow did?
ReplyDeleteyour interpretation, as well as the background info, really helped me understand the story.
good job, hazel :)