Luke 21:4
For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on."
For they all contributed out of their surplus
This phrase highlights the contrast between the wealthy donors and the poor widow. The Greek word for "surplus" is "perisseuma," which implies an abundance or excess. Historically, the temple treasury was a place where people would give offerings, often publicly, as a demonstration of their piety. The wealthy gave from their abundance, which, while generous, did not require personal sacrifice. This reflects a broader biblical theme where God values the heart and intent behind the giving more than the amount itself. The act of giving from surplus can be seen as fulfilling a duty without impacting one's lifestyle or comfort.

but she out of her poverty
The Greek word for "poverty" is "husterēsis," indicating a state of need or deficiency. This widow's action is significant because it demonstrates her deep faith and trust in God. In the socio-economic context of the time, widows were among the most vulnerable, often lacking a stable source of income or support. Her giving, therefore, is not just an act of charity but a profound expression of reliance on God's provision. This phrase challenges believers to consider the depth of their own faith and the sincerity of their sacrifices.

has put in all she had to live on
The phrase "all she had to live on" is translated from the Greek "holon ton bion," which literally means "all the life." This indicates that the widow gave everything she had, her entire livelihood. This act of total surrender and trust is a powerful testament to her faith. In the biblical narrative, such acts of complete devotion are often highlighted as exemplary. The widow's offering is reminiscent of the biblical principle that true worship and devotion often require personal sacrifice and trust in God's provision, as seen in accounts like that of the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17. Her action serves as a poignant reminder that God values the heart and the spirit of the giver more than the material value of the gift.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching in the temple and observing the actions of those around Him. His teachings often challenge societal norms and reveal deeper spiritual truths.

2. The Poor Widow
A woman of humble means who gives two small coins, known as mites, into the temple treasury. Her act of giving is highlighted by Jesus as an example of true generosity and faith.

3. The Rich
Individuals who contribute large sums to the temple treasury. Their giving, while substantial in amount, is contrasted with the widow's offering in terms of sacrifice and heart.

4. The Temple
The setting of this event, the temple in Jerusalem, serves as a place of worship and teaching. It is a central location for Jewish religious life and a backdrop for many of Jesus' teachings.
Teaching Points
True Generosity
True generosity is measured not by the amount given but by the heart and sacrifice behind the gift. The widow's offering, though small, was significant because she gave all she had.

Faith and Trust
The widow's act of giving all she had demonstrates profound faith and trust in God's provision. Believers are encouraged to trust God with their resources, knowing He is faithful.

Heart Over Wealth
God values the intentions and sacrifices of the heart over the material wealth or size of the offering. This challenges believers to examine their motives in giving.

Stewardship
Believers are called to be good stewards of their resources, recognizing that everything they have is from God and should be used for His glory.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the widow's offering challenge our understanding of generosity and giving in today's context?

2. In what ways can we demonstrate faith and trust in God through our financial decisions and giving?

3. How can we ensure that our motives for giving align with the heart of God, as demonstrated by the widow?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to be better stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us?

5. How does the example of the widow's offering inspire us to live out our faith in other areas of life, beyond financial giving?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Mark 12:41-44
This parallel account in Mark's Gospel provides additional context and emphasis on the widow's offering, reinforcing the lesson of sacrificial giving.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Paul commends the Macedonian churches for their generosity despite their poverty, echoing the widow's example of giving beyond one's means.

1 Samuel 16:7
God's perspective on the heart rather than outward appearances is highlighted, similar to how Jesus values the widow's offering over the larger contributions of the rich.
A Welsh Boy's OfferingLuke 21:1-4
Giving His AllLuke 21:1-4
Liberal GivingMrs. Wylie's "Life of Mrs. Mason."Luke 21:1-4
Noble GivingE. Hake.Luke 21:1-4
The Anonymous WidowChristian AgeLuke 21:1-4
The Duty of AlmsgivingJames Foote, M. A.Luke 21:1-4
The Gifts of the PoorLuke 21:1-4
The Giving Out of Abundance and Out of PenuryLuke 21:1-4
The Largest GiverW. Baxendale.Luke 21:1-4
The True Worth of MoneyLuke 21:1-4
The Widow's MiteM. F. Sadler.Luke 21:1-4
The Widow's MitesJ. W. Pringle, M. A.Luke 21:1-4
What One Halfpenny Can DoBowes.Luke 21:1-4
Worth in the Estimate of WisdomW. Clarkson Luke 21:1-4
People
Jesus, Disciples
Places
Jerusalem, Judea, Olivet
Topics
Abundance, Cast, Contributed, Gifts, Offering, Offerings, Penury, Poverty, Spare, Superabundance, Superfluity, Surplus, Themselves, Thrown, Wealth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Luke 21:4

     5446   poverty
     5447   poverty, causes

Luke 21:1-4

     4303   metals
     5325   gifts
     7912   collections

Luke 21:1-6

     7469   temple, Herod's

Library
June 3 Morning
Watch, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.--MATT. 25:13. Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Sunday after Ascension Day
Text: First Peter 4, 7-11.[1] 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer: 8 above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves: for love covereth a multitude of sins: 9 using hospitality one to another without murmuring: 10 according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; 11 if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

When Shall These Things Be?
'And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may he fulfilled. 23. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Nearness of the Kingdom
THE NEARNESS OF THE KINGDOM St Luke xxi. 31.--"Know that the Kingdom of God is near." Our Lord saith that the Kingdom of God is near us. Yea, the Kingdom of God is within us as St Paul saith "our salvation is nearer than when we believed." Now we should know in what manner the Kingdom of God is near us. Therefore let us pay diligent attention to the meaning of the words. If I were a king, and did not know it, I should not really be a king. But, if I were fully convinced that I was a king, and all
Johannes Eckhart—Meister Eckhart's Sermons

St. Luke xxi. 36
Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. This might be a text for a history of the Christian Church, from its foundation to this hour, or to the latest hour of the world's existence. We might observe how it Lad fulfilled its Lord's command; with what steadiness it had gone forward on its course, with the constant hope of meeting Him once again in glory. We might see how it had escaped
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

Sermon for the Second Sunday in Advent
(From the Gospel for the day) How that God is very near to us, and how we must seek and find the Kingdom of God within us, without respect to time and place. [41] Luke xxi. 31.--"Know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand." OUR Lord says here that the kingdom of God is nigh to us. Yea, the kingdom of God is in us; and St. Paul says, that now is our salvation nearer to us than we believe. Now ye ought to know, first, how the kingdom of God is nigh at hand; secondly, when the kingdom of God is
Susannah Winkworth—The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler

Evil Habits and Injurious Indulgences.
The Word of the Lord may not denominate in plain terms every particular sin and evil practise man may engage in; however there are general terms and principles of righteousness that prohibit and condemn every possible sinful act man may perform. The words card-parties, picnics, fairs, shows and theaters are not found in the writings of the apostles; however indulgence in these is "revelry," "living in pleasure," "rioting" and worldliness, of which the Scriptures say the participants do not love God
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

Remaining Books of the Old Testament.
1. The divine authority of the Pentateuch having been established, it is not necessary to dwell at length on the historical books which follow. The events which they record are a natural and necessary sequel to the establishment of the theocracy, as given in the five books of Moses. The Pentateuch is occupied mainly with the founding of the theocracy; the following historical books describe the settlement of the Israelitish nation under this theocracy in the promised land, and its practical operation
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Submission.
"In your patience possess ye your souls."--Luke 21:19 "Stille, mein Wille! dein Jesu hilft siegen." [40]Unbekanntes. [[41]Catherina Schlegel] transl., Jane Borthwick, 1855 Be still, my soul!--the Lord is on thy side; Bear patiently the cross of grief and pain; Leave to thy God to order and provide-- In every change He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul!--thy best, thy Heavenly Friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. Be still, my soul!--thy God doth undertake To guide the future,
Jane Borthwick—Hymns from the Land of Luther

Epistle Lxiii. To Dominicus, Bishop of Carthage.
To Dominicus, Bishop of Carthage. Gregory to Dominicus, &c. We have already learnt what great pestilence has invaded the African parts; and, inasmuch as neither is Italy free from such affliction, doubled are the groans of our sorrows. But amid these evils and other innumerable calamities our heart, dearest brother, would fail from desperate distress, had not the Lord's voice fortified our weakness beforehand. For long ago to the faithful the trumpet of the Gospel lesson sounded, warning them that
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Of Meditating on the Future Life.
1. The design of God in afflicting his people. 1. To accustom us to despise the present life. Our infatuated love of it. Afflictions employed as the cure. 2. To lead us to aspire to heaven. 2. Excessive love of the present life prevents us from duly aspiring to the other. Hence the disadvantages of prosperity. Blindness of the human judgment. Our philosophizing on the vanity of life only of momentary influence. The necessity of the cross. 3. The present life an evidence of the divine favour to his
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Lessons from Olivet
Our last chapter was on the Transfiguration. The next will be on The Last Supper. Between these two events in our Saviour's life, how many interesting incidents took place! How many important sayings that fell from his gracious lips during this period are written for our instruction by the four evangelists! There is, for instance, the beautiful lesson about what it is on which the value of our gifts depend. He taught this lesson when he saw the rich casting their gifts into the treasury. Among them
Richard Newton—The Life of Jesus Christ for the Young

At Night, Jesus Abode on the Mount of Olives
And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.--St. Luke xxi: 37. * * * * * NOTE BY THE ARTIST As we ascend towards sunset the slopes of Olivet, and pause to gaze on the scenes beneath, the panorama of the city presented to view is in its leading features essentially similar to that upon which the eyes of Jesus rested, when "at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called
Richard Newton—The Life of Jesus Christ for the Young

The Present Distress of Nations.
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them with fear, and for looking after those things which are coming to pass on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Luke 21:25, 26). As we have already remarked more than once, prophecy invariably has a double fulfillment at least, and so we believe it is with the one just quoted. Directly, it has reference
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

That the Ruler Relax not his Care for the Things that are Within in his Occupation among the Things that are Without, nor Neglect to Provide
The ruler should not relax his care for the things that are within in his occupation among the things that are without, nor neglect to provide for the things that are without in his solicitude for the things that are within; lest either, given up to the things that are without, he fall away from his inmost concerns, or, occupied only with the things that are within bestow not on his neighbours outside himself what he owes them. For it is often the case that some, as if forgetting that they have
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

July 18 Evening
She hath done what she could.--MARK 14:8. This poor widow hath cast in more than they all.--Whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.--If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.--If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Two Forms of one Saying
'He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.' --Matt. xxiv. 13, R.V. 'In your patience possess ye your souls.'--Luke xxi. 19. These two sayings, different as they sound in our Version, are probably divergent representations of one original. The reasons for so supposing are manifold and obvious on a little consideration. In the first place, the two sayings occur in the Evangelists' reports of the same prophecy and at the same point therein. In the second place, the verbal resemblance is
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Great Assize
[i.e., The Last Judgment -- GL] [21] "We shall all stand before the judgement-seat of Christ." Rom. 14:10. 1. How many circumstances concur to raise the awfulness of the present solemnity! -- The general concourse of people of every age, sex, rank, and condition of life, willingly or unwillingly gathered together, not only from the neighboring, but from distant, parts; criminals, speedily to be brought forth and having no way to escape; officers, waiting in their various posts, to execute the orders
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Observing the Offerings and Widow's Mites.
(in the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^B Mark XII. 41-44; ^C Luke XXI. 1-4. ^b 41 And he sat down over against the treasury [It is said that in the court of the women there were cloisters or porticos, and under the shelter of these were placed thirteen chests with trumpet-shaped mouths into which offerings might be dropped. The money cast in was for the benefit of the Temple. An inscription on each chest showed to which one of the thirteen special items of cost or expenditure the contents would
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Epistle to the Colossians.
The Churches in Phrygia. The cities of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis are mentioned together as seats of Christian churches in the closing chapter of Colossians, and the Epistle may be considered as being addressed to all, for the apostle directs that it be read also in the churches of the Laodiceans (Col. 4:13-16). They were situated within a few miles of each other in the valley of the Lycus (a tributary of the Maeander) in Phrygia on the borders of Lydia, and belonged, under the Roman rule,
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

The Four Gospels.
General Character and Aim of the Gospels. Christianity is a cheerful religion and brings joy and peace from heaven to earth. The New Testament opens with the gospel, that is with the authentic record of the history of all histories, the glad tidings of salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. [871] The four canonical Gospels are only variations of the same theme, a fourfold representation of one and the same gospel, animated by the same spirit. [872] They are not full
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Elucidations.
I. (Unless patience sit by his side, cap. i. p. 707.) Let me quote words which, many years ago, struck me forcibly, and which I trust, have been blest to my soul; for which reason, I must be allowed, here, to thank their author, the learned and fearless Dean Burgon, of Chichester. In his invaluable Commentary on the Gospel, which while it abounds in the fruits of a varied erudition, aims only to be practically useful, this pious scholar remarks: "To Faith must be added Patience, the patient waiting
Tertullian—Of Patience

Look we Then, Beloved, what Hardships in Labors and Sorrows Men Endure...
3. Look we then, beloved, what hardships in labors and sorrows men endure, for things which they viciously love, and by how much they think to be made by them more happy, by so much more unhappily covet. How much for false riches, how much for vain honors, how much for affections of games and shows, is of exceeding peril and trouble most patiently borne! We see men hankering after money, glory, lasciviousness, how, that they may arrive at their desires, and having gotten not lose them, they endure
St. Augustine—On Patience

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