In Mark 12: 41 – 44, we learn of a poor widow who went to a treasury to give what she had. Those among the treasury included many rich men who gave much, but the two mites that the widow gave proved to be the most meaningful. The offering of the widow was much more meaningful because she gave everything she had while the rich were just giving out of obligation, or what is expected.
In Mark 12: 28 – 30, we learn of the first commandment that says in verse 30, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment”. The widow was a great example of this first commandment because she gave everything that she had because of the love she had for God. In Exodus 25:2, we get a great example of how we can show our love “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.” When we give, we need to given willingly with the love of God in our heart.
The widow gave all that she had as it says in verse 44 of Mark 12, “For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” The widow cast in two mites which may seem like a little compared to the others that were cast in their many riches, but as we learn in this verse; the widow gave everything that she had, even all her living. This was probably a great act of faith on her part because she may not have known how she was going to eat or take care of her family, but knowing that this sacrifice required of God, she gave everything that she had.
In 2 Nephi 25:23, it says “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” In this verse, we can learn that we do indeed owe everything that we have to the Lord and that we must give all that we are able to given even though it may not be much, like the widow did. As long as we are giving all that we have, then we will truly be blessed for our efforts and our sacrifices.
The widow was given a commandment to love God with all thy soul, heart and mind and she truly did that when she gave all that she had. She was a great example of obedience in following was commanded of her and of sacrifice as she gave everything that she had, even all her living to the Lord. There isn’t much required of us as we go throughout our life here on earth, but considering the sacrifice that the Lord made for us, there is so much more that we could give to show our love. I think one of the ways that we can follow the widow’s example of obedience and sacrifice is to attend the temple frequently. We all have busy schedules with work, school, families and other activities, but it is an easy way that we can show our love for the Lord. The temple is a remarkable resource for us here on earth to be filled with peace and comfort and to be closer to the Lord. What better way to show the Lord our love to spend a few hours in His house participating in eternal ordinances. I know that as we sacrifice a few hours out of our week to make regular, frequent trips to the temple, we will truly be blessed for our efforts.
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