The Widow's Mites and Enduring Faith

Introduction

Have you ever gone people watching? Just sat at the mall or someplace and watched the people coming and going. In our passage today, Jesus is in the temple with His apostles and they are observing people giving their offerings.

Illustration: Picture this, a single mom, 3 kids, struggling to make ends meet, looses her job. She is a believer and is faithful to her local church and in her offering. This is a week that had been announced there would be a special collection after the normal collection for mission fund for the shortfall for the missionaries that the church is currently supporting and the shortfall is great at this time. Many were giving and making a spectacle out of it from their riches, their surplus, but this struggling mom, reached in her purse and gave the last $20.00 to her name, the last $20.00 for her and the kids to live on and said Lord all I have is Yours, I know You will provide and quietly placed in in the plate. Which did God notice, the humble gift or the boastful ones? We will see what Jesus has to say as we look at our story as well as the shaking times of wars and tumults, and not to be shaken by them.

Big Idea: True Faith is demonstrated through sacrificial giving, aligning our values with God’s kingdom even in times of trial and uncertainty.

General Application: This message should encourage us to evaluate what we truly value and how we can contribute to God’s kingdom, especially during uncertain times. It reminds us that faithfulness is measured not by the size of our gifts but by the sacrifice behind them.

First, let’s look at the passage as a whole and go from there.

Our Passage

Luke 21:1–2 NASB95

1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins.

Luke 21:3–4 NASB95

3 And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; 4 for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.”

Luke 21:5–6 NASB95

5 And while some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, He said, 6 “As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.”

Luke 21:7–8 NASB95

7 They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are to take place?” 8 And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them.

Luke 21:9 NASB95

9 “When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.”

Is there anything in particular that sticks out to you in this passage?

What was the difference in the gifts in (vv.1-2)?

We know that (v.2) the woman was poor and put in two small copper coins.

What does her gift teach us about faith and sacrifice (vv.3-4)?

It is really a subjective question for she gave from her poverty all she had to live on, which means she trusted God to provide. She was willing to sacrifice for God.

While admiring the beauty of the temple (v.5), what does Jesus say (v.6)?

Not one stone will be left upon another

The disciples ask a question (v.7) and Jesus starts to answer (v.8) and gives them warning (v.9) what is the warning?

When you hear of the wars, disturbances, do not be terrified these have to take place, but the end does not follow immediately.

Witnessing True Sacrifice

God values authentic sacrifice over quantity. Even when faced with personal scarcity, her act of giving illustrates a heart fully trusting in God’s provision.

Jesus observes the giving at the temple those who were rich, and the women who was poor, those from their surplus, and she from her poverty all she had to live on.

Jesus declares she gave “more than all” because she cave out of her poverty.

Key truth: God values heart of the giver more than the size of the gift.

Watching World’s Unraveling

Jesus warning challenges us to consider the transient nature of worldly structures and the eternal significance of God’s kingdom.

While the people marvel at the Temple’s beauty and adornment (v.5).

Jesus gives a revelation, not one stone will be left upon another (v.6).

Key truth: Earthly glory and human achievements will not last— only what is built on God’s kingdom endures.

Waiting with Unshaken Faith

Jesus teachings about impending trials, calls for believers to stand firm in faith amidst uncertainty. Jesus assures us that challenges will come, but our response should be rooted in trust and sacrifice for God’s purposes. This aligns with the widow’s example and Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

The Disciples’ question - “When will these things happen?” (v.7)

Jesus warning— Beware of deception “many will come in My name” (v.8)

Jesus’ encouragement — “do not be terrified . . . the end does not follow immediately” (v.9)

Key truth: In times of uncertainty, followers are called to watchfulness without fear and faith with panic.

Want to have some discussion?

In what ways might we be tempted to value appearance or quantity over sincerity in our spiritual life?

When Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple, how might that have shaken the disciples’ sense of security?

How do we respond when “our temples” — the things we trust in — are shaken or destroyed?

What does it mean for us today to “not be terrified” in times of global or personal crisis?

Below not on outline, but are on screen.

With so many modern “prophets” on social medial predicting end times based on current events, how can we discern true warnings from deceptive ones, as Jesus instructed?

Jesus says not to be terrified by wars and commotions— yet these evoke fear in many; what role does faith play in maintaining peace during global or personal upheavals?

If God measures giving by sacrifice rather than amount, how does this redefine generosity for someone who feels they have little to offer?

Application Section

Practice Sacrificial Giving

Evaluate your own giving habits, not just financially, but time, talents. And commit to one act of generosity this week that stretches beyond your “abundance” trusting God to provide. For example, volunteer for a ministry role that feels uncomfortable or donate to a cause despite tight finances

Simple question to yourself is is your giving of finances, time, love and service sacrificial or safe?

Cultivate Discernment Against Deception

When encountering end-times predictions or charismatic leaders claiming special insight, cross-check them against Scripture (e.g., Mt24 parallels) rather than following impulsively. Discuss with a trusted group to avoid isolation in discission-making.

Embrace Peace Amid Chaos

In times of personal or global turmoil (e.g, news of conflicts or disasters), meditate on Jesus’ command not to be terrified. Make a daily routine of prayer and journaling to reframe fears as “labor pains” leading to redemption, building endurance in faith.

Limit fear-based media, pray for discernment, and encourage someone who feels shaken.

Focus on Heart Motives

Like Jesus observing the treasury, remember God sees our hidden actions. Intentionally perform one “unnoticed” act of kindness this week, anonymously, help a neighbor, a stranger, to align our heart with genuine devotion

Live faithfully in the present. The widow did not wait until she had abundance to give — she gave now, trusting God completely.

Prepare for trials

Use this passage to discuss with family or friends how to stand firm in faith during hardships, drawing from historical fulfillments like the AD70 temple destructions as reminders of God’s faithfulness.

Conclusion: Jesus message in our passage calls for us to have sincere devotion and a steadfast faith. The widow shows us what wholehearted trust looks like in giving: Jesus’ prophesy shows us what enduring trust looks like in living.

When everything else fails, our faith in Christ remains. The question is: Will our devotion stan when the world trembles?

(Prayer) (Exit)