Getting to Know Jesus' Passion #3

We have just seen in chapter 20 how Jesus shut down the attempts of the religious leaders to catch Him in saying something that was unbiblical, unpatriotic, or irrational. He then turned to His disciples to tell them to watch out for such leaders who were more concerned about looking good than doing what is right. The chapter ended: 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Chapter 21 begins:

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.

Jesus had already addressed the showy prayers of the rich man in contrast to the tax collector. He now makes a stark contrast between the gifts of the rich in the temple and those of this poor widow. She gave in faith, entrusting God with all that she had and trusting Him to provide what she needed. There was a big difference both in action and intention. The rich gave as much as they needed to appear obedience and good; she gave all she had to show God how much she loved and trusted Him.  What does our use of our resources show what is important to us and how much we really trust God?