In their New Testament Gospels, disciples Mark and Luke retell of a Temple Treasury offering. During this time in history, the Temple Treasury had 13 chests that were placed in the Women’s Court at the Temple. Each of these wooden chests had metal, trumpet-shaped mouths on top, and all offerings were placed in these collection chests. 

Many people came to the Temple Treasury to make these offerings, and these monetary donations came in all shapes and sizes. Many large offerings supported the needs of the Temple, and the coins dropped in could clearly be heard through the metal mouths of the chests. 

One day, a poor widow entered the Temple Treasury, and she quietly dropped two copper coins into one of the chests. After her husband’s death, she had no source of income, and these two coins, which were the smallest and least valuable of the time, were all that she had. 

Although the offering may not have seemed like much in comparison to some of the larger sums given, it is important to note that the widow gave out of her own freewill and chose to give everything that she had to God. Although she had nothing else to spare, she didn’t hold anything back and chose to make this sacrifice with a glad heart and willing generosity. The widow chose to make this sacrifice out of love and humility, and she sought no recognition in return.