“As He looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.  He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.  ‘I tell you the truth,’ He said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others.  All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’”  Luke 21:1-4 NIV

The implication here is that the rich would not miss what they gave; it would not affect their livelihood one iota.  There was no risk for them in giving.  There was no sacrifice.  There was certainly no testimony of submission to God.  They gave simply to be seen by others, to puff up their chests and strut about in pride.  But the poor widow gave all of her monetary wealth – two lepta.  This would translate in value, as we understand it, to about 1/4^th of a penny.  The poor widow said in her giving, “It is a joy to give to my Lord and all I that have is His.  He will take care of me.”  The “poor widow” understood far more than those great minds that taught the law (see Luke 20:45-47).  For while they proclaimed their self-righteousness, while taking from those who had nothing, she proclaimed her submission to God and her complete trust in Him to take care of her.

Jesus knows what is in our hearts.  We cannot hide that from Him.  Jesus will disrobe the hypocrisy and reveal the actuality of who we are. 

What we give to glorify Him will always be honored.  I look forward to someday talking to this one who gave everything she had and learning how she was blessed.  We have only a part of her story.