Liberality: The Poor Widow
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Introduction

Liberality, as a Christian virtue, is exemplified in the New Testament through the account of the poor widow, whose account is recounted in the Gospels. This narrative highlights the essence of true generosity and the heart's posture in giving, rather than the material value of the gift itself. The account of the poor widow is found in Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4, where Jesus uses her act of giving as a profound teaching moment for His disciples and for all believers.

Biblical Account

In the Gospel of Mark, the account is as follows:

"Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into it. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a small fraction of a denarius. Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.'" (Mark 12:41-44)

Similarly, in the Gospel of Luke:

"Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 'Truly I tell you,' He said, 'this poor widow has put in more than all the others. For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.'" (Luke 21:1-4)

Context and Significance

The setting of this narrative is the temple in Jerusalem, where offerings were made in the treasury. The treasury was a place where people could give their financial contributions to support the temple and its services. The act of giving was a public affair, and it was common for people to give in a manner that displayed their wealth and generosity.

The poor widow's offering, however, was markedly different. Her two small copper coins, known as "lepta," were of minimal monetary value, yet they represented her entire livelihood. In contrast to the wealthy contributors, who gave from their abundance, the widow's offering was a sacrificial act of faith and devotion. Her liberality was not measured by the amount she gave but by the heart and sacrifice behind her giving.

Theological Implications

The account of the poor widow serves as a powerful illustration of the principles of Christian giving. It underscores the idea that God values the heart and intention behind the gift more than the gift's size. The widow's act of giving all she had is a testament to her trust in God's provision and her commitment to His service, even in the face of personal poverty.

This narrative challenges believers to examine their own attitudes toward giving. It calls for a spirit of generosity that is not contingent upon wealth or abundance but is rooted in faith and love for God. The widow's example teaches that true liberality is characterized by selflessness and a willingness to give sacrificially, trusting in God's faithfulness to provide.

Practical Application

For Christians today, the account of the poor widow is a reminder to practice liberality in all aspects of life. It encourages believers to give not only of their financial resources but also of their time, talents, and love. The widow's example inspires a lifestyle of generosity that reflects the heart of Christ, who gave Himself fully for the redemption of humanity.

In the context of the church and community, this narrative calls for a reevaluation of how generosity is perceived and practiced. It invites believers to support one another, especially those in need, with a spirit of compassion and selflessness. The widow's account is a timeless testament to the power of giving from the heart, regardless of one's material circumstances.
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Luke 21:2-4
And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
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Library

Liberality to the Poor is Recommended by the Example of the Widow ...
... Concerning Widows. Chapter V. Liberality to the poor is recommended by
the example of the widow the Gospel? Liberality to the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter v liberality to the.htm

A Liberal Church
... Of her the Saviour declared, "Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast
more in, than all ... Often he exhorted them to the exercise of liberality. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 32 a liberal church.htm

On Kindness and Its Several Parts, Namely, Good-Will and ...
... The Lord preferred the two mites of the widow to all ... therefore, that makes the gift
valuable or poor, and gives ... True liberality also must be tested in this way ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxx on kindness and.htm

Christ Teaching Liberality
... that the money which we give to the poor, or use ... of the Bible, proofs for this lesson
of liberality, or for ... Sea, and that he had commanded a widow woman there ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching liberality.htm

How Easy Our Saviour Has Made the Increase of Love.
... Now as amongst the treasures of the temple, the poor widow's mite was much esteemed ...
if they be very little, they impair it: for a great liberality perishes if ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii how easy our.htm

The Blessedness of Giving
... Often, as wealth increases liberality is starved out, and the rich give far less
than the poor in proportion to ... "I have heard of a widow around the corner ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the blessedness of giving.htm

Treatise viii. On Works and Alms.
... multiplied and heaped up to the widow; and her ... proceeds to be dispensed to the poor;
selling and ... race from enjoying equally the divine goodness and liberality. ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise viii on works and.htm

Christ's Sermon on the Mount in Manner and Contents it So ...
... the fatherless, and deal justly with the widow; and come ... who has never given proof
of his liberality by any ... the former one, because none but the poor and needy ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xiv christs sermon on the.htm

A Rebuke against Extortion
... the passion for gain that oppresses the widow and fatherless ... He became poor that
through His poverty we might be ... By deeds of liberality toward His poor we may ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 54 a rebuke against.htm

Constant, Instant, Expectant
... but what speedily the Lord was pleased to open the hand of his liberality and give ...
meeting, who reading the list of prayers found one for a poor widow that her ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/constant instant expectant.htm

Resources
Liberality: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Liberality

Liberality in Antioch (Of Syria)

Liberality in Corinth

Liberality in Jerusalem

Liberality in Macedonia

Liberality in Philippi

Liberality: Araunah

Liberality: Araunah for Sacrifice

Liberality: Artaxerxes

Liberality: Asa and Abijam

Liberality: Barnabas

Liberality: Barzillai

Liberality: Barzillai and Others to David

Liberality: Blessings Connected With

Liberality: Boaz

Liberality: Characteristic of Saints

Liberality: Christ Set an Example of

Liberality: Christians

Liberality: Church of Antioch

Liberality: Cornelius

Liberality: Cyrus

Liberality: Darius

Liberality: David

Liberality: Dorcas

Liberality: Elisha Toward Elijah

Liberality: Exercise of, Provokes Others To

Liberality: Exhortations To

Liberality: Extraordinary - Exemplified: Churches of Macedonia

Liberality: Extraordinary - Exemplified: Israelites

Liberality: Extraordinary - Exemplified: Poor Widow

Liberality: General Scriptures Concerning

Liberality: God Never Forgets

Liberality: Hezekiah

Liberality: Israelites at the Erection of the Tabernacle

Liberality: Israelites' offerings for the Temple

Liberality: Jacob

Liberality: Jehoshaphat

Liberality: Jews

Liberality: Jews After the Captivity

Liberality: Joab to David

Liberality: Joanna

Liberality: Joash and his People

Liberality: Job

Liberality: Josiah

Liberality: Judah

Liberality: King of Sodom to Abraham

Liberality: Labour to be Enabled to Exercise

Liberality: Lack of a Proof of not Having Faith

Liberality: Lack of a Proof of not Loving God

Liberality: Lack of Brings Many a Curse

Liberality: Lydia

Liberality: Manasseh

Liberality: Mary Magdalene

Liberality: Nebuzaradan

Liberality: Nehemiah

Liberality: Paul

Liberality: People of Melita (Malta) to Paul

Liberality: Pharaoh to Joseph's People

Liberality: Pleasing to God

Liberality: Princes of Israel

Liberality: Promises To

Liberality: Queen of Sheba to Solomon

Liberality: Reubenites

Liberality: Samuel

Liberality: should be Exercised in Forwarding Missions

Liberality: should be Exercised in Giving Alms

Liberality: should be Exercised in Leading to Those in Want

Liberality: should be Exercised in Relieving the Destitute

Liberality: should be Exercised in Rendering Personal Services

Liberality: should be Exercised in the Service of God

Liberality: should be Exercised with Simplicity

Liberality: should be Exercised without Ostentation

Liberality: should be Exercised: Abundantly

Liberality: should be Exercised: According to Ability

Liberality: should be Exercised: Toward all Men

Liberality: should be Exercised: Toward Enemies

Liberality: should be Exercised: Toward Saints

Liberality: should be Exercised: Toward Servants

Liberality: should be Exercised: Toward Strangers

Liberality: should be Exercised: Toward the Poor

Liberality: should be Exercised: Willingly

Liberality: Shunammite

Liberality: Solomon

Liberality: Stephanas

Liberality: The Centurion

Liberality: The Good Samaritan

Liberality: The Magi (Wise Men from the East)

Liberality: The Poor Widow

Liberality: Unprofitable, Without Love

Liberality: Zacchaeus

Related Terms

Liberal (11 Occurrences)

Liberally (4 Occurrences)

Generosity (6 Occurrences)

Free-hearted (3 Occurrences)

Charity (29 Occurrences)

Libertines (1 Occurrence)

Generous (17 Occurrences)

Bounty (14 Occurrences)

Ahinadab (1 Occurrence)

Proof (38 Occurrences)

Philippians (2 Occurrences)

Desolation (131 Occurrences)

Tithe (30 Occurrences)

Abomination (78 Occurrences)

Second (2060 Occurrences)

Zeal (45 Occurrences)

Overflowed (14 Occurrences)

Overflowing (54 Occurrences)

Ordeal (2 Occurrences)

Govern (21 Occurrences)

Gamaliel (7 Occurrences)

Glorifying (21 Occurrences)

Welled (1 Occurrence)

Worketh (49 Occurrences)

Whomsoever (28 Occurrences)

Increase (184 Occurrences)

Instrumentality (5 Occurrences)

Freedom (45 Occurrences)

Fidelity (13 Occurrences)

Thanksgiving (49 Occurrences)

Rules (160 Occurrences)

Euodia (1 Occurrence)

Extreme (11 Occurrences)

Extolled (6 Occurrences)

Enriched (13 Occurrences)

Exhorting (13 Occurrences)

Exhorts (1 Occurrence)

Exhibit (7 Occurrences)

Diligence (31 Occurrences)

Profession (9 Occurrences)

Producing (20 Occurrences)

Proving (14 Occurrences)

Practical (2 Occurrences)

Proved (49 Occurrences)

Brings (155 Occurrences)

Bountifulness (1 Occurrence)

Benefit (39 Occurrences)

Boundless (3 Occurrences)

Communicating (4 Occurrences)

Contributing (4 Occurrences)

Cheerfulness (1 Occurrence)

Contribution (24 Occurrences)

Contributes (1 Occurrence)

Contributions (19 Occurrences)

Acknowledging (7 Occurrences)

Amid (31 Occurrences)

Abound (36 Occurrences)

Achaia (11 Occurrences)

Accompanies (3 Occurrences)

Aid (20 Occurrences)

Abounded (6 Occurrences)

Adherence (1 Occurrence)

Sharing (18 Occurrences)

Severe (53 Occurrences)

Simplicity (12 Occurrences)

Abundantly (73 Occurrences)

Abundance (194 Occurrences)

Macedonia (23 Occurrences)

Grace (277 Occurrences)

Produce (140 Occurrences)

Poor (276 Occurrences)

Occasion (53 Occurrences)

Riches (118 Occurrences)

Glorify (49 Occurrences)

Needs (85 Occurrences)

Result (73 Occurrences)

Rich (140 Occurrences)

Confession (22 Occurrences)

Liberality: The Magi (Wise Men from the East)
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