See, the money boxes in the temple were in the women's court because they couldn't go any further in to the temple. It had to be there so all could give.
Most believe this story is about the freewill offering. This is when we give from the heart not what was commanded. It is for the glory of God. He first gave to us so we give to Him.
According to the Mishna the treasurey boxes had a metal trumpet funnel on top so that when your money dropped, it could be heard by the noise it made. It would trumpet the clink of the coins hitting and then rolling in until they dropped.
Have you ever used a coin funnel at a museum? It is so much fun to watch the coins roll their way down. They move faster as the funnel gets smaller and smaller until it drops. If made of metal they are very loud.
I had no idea this was a thing in the temple until today.
Who made such a device and why? Oh my!
Literally, no one could give a free will offering that was not seen or heard!
Yet, in Matthew 6 Jesus says, "do not sound the trumpet like the hypocrits do." I wonder if this is the point behind this parable?
Jesus challenges us further by saying to not let your right hand know what the left hand does.
Hmmm. Yeah, well, I am not very good at keeping secrets from myself. How do I have right motives? Or when do I have right motives? Sometimes, I can talk myself out of giving because I worry about the motive. Eeck. Ugh. Now, that is bad, too.
God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7). I guess when I just focus on the joy of blessing, my motives get straight. It is no longer my motive. It is simply about blessing because I am blessed. This means my heart must be full of thanksgiving and gratitude.
Isn't it amazing how many life lessons God is teaching us through the widow's stories in the Bible!
Of course Jesus would use one of the least of these to humble us and help us grow. The amount she gave would have only been able to buy a few pieces of bread.
Father, will You please teach us how to give with the right motives and yes to be willing to give out of our poverty and not just our wealth.
I do wonder how this might change from person to person, LORD. I recognize our poverty can be so different as well as our wealth. These can come in time, talent, or treasure. Forgive us for wrong motives. Let us give out of the overflow of Jesus in us in whatever ways You may ask for Your glory and not our own. Thank you for all You have given us. In Jesus' name, amen
