In today’s scripture, we get two of those forces: bread and power. But the way the characters react makes a difference.

Families hard-pressed to make ends meet may have trouble accepting today’s gospel message, where Jesus praises the widow for her charitable gift, given not from excess wealth but from her poverty—her very livelihood.

The Bible tells us that God is revealed in jars of flour that don't go empty, jugs of oil that never run dry.

“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury.”

“What’s a tithe?” Terry asked. Ned replied, “The word means ‘a tenth part.’ It’s what the Bible says we need to give back to God as a sacrificial offering. I’m not being generous,” he added. “I’m just being faithful.”

Everything we have comes from God. God entrusts us with time and energy and resources so that we might be ministers of God’s blessings for others. Pray that we have the faith to be good stewards.

If nothing else, the vivid story in today’s first reading speaks of faith.

The poor widow cast only two pennies into the treasury; yet because she gave all she had it is said of her that she surpassed all the rich in offering gifts to God.  —Saint Jerome (347-419)