Giving Our All Than Giving a Lot

The Gospel this Sunday points us back to the story of the Rich Young Man (the Gospel reading in the previous Sundays.) Jesus was trying to teach with the incidence of the rich young man who approached him and asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. He told him to sell all he had, give to the poor and come and follow him. Unfortunately, the young man could not do it because “he had great possessions.” (Matthew 19:16-22)
The rich young man could afford to give a lot – and would probably have been doing that – but the Lord could look in and know that in his heart; he hadn’t surrendered everything yet.
And this leads us to the story of the poor widow who has given her all. Jesus was more impressed by the widow’s small offering than the generosity that the rich brought because he knew that in her heart, she had surrendered all already. Beyond her duty, without possibility of people’s praises, without pressure of eyes watching, she laid down a sacrifice that cost everything she had.
The story of the poor widow, often serves as a deep reflection on generosity, sacrifice, and the true nature of giving. The widow’s contribution is a powerful reminder that the value of a gift is not measured by its monetary worth but by the nature in which it is given. Her disposition to give her all demonstrates an extraordinary level of faith in God’s provision. This confronts us to reflect what we are willing to sacrifice without expecting something in return. 
 
The rich may have given significant sums, but for some, they do so out of their excess. The widow, on the other hand, offered out of her poverty. This underlines that true generosity often comes from those who have little, as they understand the weight of their sacrifice. As the famous saying puts it: poor people are often most generous because they know what it's like to have nothing. This invites us to reflect on our own giving—are we giving out of abundance (giving a lot) or are we giving our all?
 
Jesus’ response of the widow’s offering reveals that God’s viewpoint on our actions differs from societal standards. While people often praise visible wealth and generosity, God looks at the heart and the intent behind our actions. 
 
The widow personifies the struggles faced by many in our world today. Her story invites us to empathize with the marginalized, the forgotten, the poor, and the least, recognizing that their contributions, though small, are often born from deep resilience and love. It confronts us to advocate for justice, the rights of the poor, and support organizations that uplift those in need. This story encourages us to look beyond our own poverty and ponder how we can share, no matter how small our efforts may seem. 
 
The widow’s act of giving teaches us above all, to trust in God’s providence. A heart that looks at the One who provides what we have in our hands. Recognizing God as the one who provides us with everything—goods, time, energy, love, and all of who we are. A God who has both given us a lot and all! 
 
The story of the poor widow is a timeless lesson about the essence of giving and the heart behind it. In a world that often equates worth with wealth, it is a powerful reminder that giving our all than giving a lot has more value in the eyes of God.
 

Fr. Jericho Venarta, OMI