⁴² And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. ⁴³ And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. ⁴⁴ For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” —Mark 12:42–44

Jesus was in the temple complex watching people place their freewill offerings into the treasury box. He observed the considerable gifts of the wealthy, and then He pointed out a woman who gave two coins valued at a fracture of a cent. In God’s judgment, the widow’s small offering was greater than those of the rich. Not because she gave more but because she gave out of her need, not her surplus. She gave God everything. Her offering was a genuine sacrifice that acknowledged God’s provision for her needs and His ownership of her resources.