What’s a “Widder” and Why Does It Have Mites?

Posted by chrisarias on Aug 27, 2009 in Daily Bread | 3 comments

Were there a colloquial translation of the bible just for southerners, the heading for Luke 21 would read, “The Widder’s Mite.” Growing up in the buckle of the Bible belt, I’ve heard this story more times than I can remember.

It took me a while to understand that a “widder” is a woman whose husband has died and the word “mite” refers to the smallest denomination of Roman currency, not the tiny insect that infests birds’ nests and rose bushes.

With few exceptions, the passage was put forward as proof positive that that you should empty your wallet in the offering plate on a regular basis lest you earn God’s displeasure. In the Cookbook for Southern Baptist Sermons, it says this family favorite is best served cold with a liberal helping of guilt and fear.

But what if we looked at giving as a response of rather than a responsibility, a barometer rather than a bellwether?

I’m no theologian, but when I dwell on this passage, I think the lady in the story had a much better grasp on Psalm 68:4-5 than I ever will.

Sing to the Lord, sing praises to his name. Exalt him who rides upon the clouds – His name is the Lord, Rejoice before Him. A father to the fatherless and a defender of the widows is God in His holy dwelling.

I doubt she was consigning herself to hunger because the Pharisees told her to or to earn anyone’s favor. They probably wouldn’t give her the time of day. What if she came to God’s holy dwelling in a spirit of praise and thanksgiving to brazenly express her utter confidence in him as her proven and trustworthy defender and provider?

The words that catch my eye are, “Jesus saw…” We know Jesus saw the people giving their gifts – and also the ones who weren’t. But his comment here tells us that he sees more. He sees our motives. It was the woman’s heart that captured his attention, not the amount.

He wasn’t upset by anyone’s gift or lack of it. He didn’t in any way demean or minimize the gifts of any who gave out of their abundance. He was just particularly fond of hers.

When I think back on the times I have been most aware of God’s presence and fellowship, they were without exception marked by an immediate, unconditional and peaceful readiness to do or give anything, to go anywhere, to love any and everyone who crossed my path. In those moments and seasons of crystal clarity, even the idea of duty was an irrelevant and foreign concept.

When our vision is clear, when we truly understand what Christ has forgiven us in his death and given us in his resurrection, loving, serving and giving are simple, joyous, unconscious byproducts of the realization that Christ is our very life.

Hold on to your hats. I’m about to make some pastors uncomfortable.

If giving is a chore, don’t sweat it. Giving in that state of mind won’t gain you a thing in God’s economy. Think of it instead as an indicator on your spiritual dashboard.

Struggling to give or not giving at all isn’t any more a sin than giving thoughtlessly out of your abundance; it’s just an indication that you’re out of touch with your heavenly Father. No guilt, no foreboding insinuations. Rather, it’s an invitation to know Him better.

Instead of worrying that you’ll become a human lightning rod, leverage whatever resources you have to find your way to the One who is the very Source of your life. In short, seek him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. He’s eager to be found by those who will hunt him down with life or death sincerity.

When you find Him, you’ll know without a doubt. Then loving, serving and giving will flow as effortlessly from your life as the breath he’s giving you at this very moment.