The act of the widow who cast two mites--all that she had--into the treasury, is placed on record for the encouragement of those who, struggling with poverty, still desire by their gifts to aid the cause of God. Christ called the attention of the disciples to this woman, who had given "all her living." Mark 12:44. He esteemed her gift of more value than the large offerings of those whose alms did not call for self-denial. From their abundance they had given a small portion. To make her offering, the widow had deprived herself of even the necessities of life, trusting God to supply her needs for the morrow. Of her the Saviour declared, "Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury." Verse 43. Thus He taught that the value of the gift is estimated not by the amount, but by the proportion that is given and the motive that actuates the giver.

Den fattige enkes handling, da hun kastede sin lille skærv, to småmønter alt, hvad hun ejede i tempelblokken, berettes til opmuntring for alle dem, der, skønt de kæmper med fattigdom, dog gerne ved deres gaver vil medvirke til Guds riges fremme. Kristus henledte disciplenes opmærksomhed til denne kvinde, der havde givet "hele sit eje" Mark. 12,44. Han regnede hendes gave for større end de store offergaver fra dem, hvis almisser ikke krævede nogen selvfornægtelse. De havde givet en ringe del af deres overflod. Enken havde for at kunne ofre berøvet sig det nødvendigste i tillid til, at Gud ville sørge for hendes fornødenheder den næste dag. Om hende sagde Frelseren: "Sandelig siger jeg eder: denne fattige enke har lagt mere deri end alle de andre, som lagde noget i tempelblokken." Mark. 12,43. Således lærte han dem, at en gaves værdi ikke beregnes efter beløbet, men efter de forhold, hvorunder den gives og de bevæggrunde, der driver giveren.