48. Eternal treasure vs earthly wealth.

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Mark 12:41–42

Which would you prefer if you were in charge of the Temple treasury? Are the rich putting in large sums of money? Or one poor widow putting in two small coins? An honest answer to that question might be complex to give. Much good can be done with large sums of money, right? Wouldn’t it be better to accept more than a few pennies?

Eternal treasure vs earthly wealth.

The dilemma one would experience in this situation reveals a lack of perception that we regularly encounter. Is more better than less? Is wealth better than poverty? Is success better than failure? It all depends upon the spiritual reality at hand.

Take success vs. failure, for example. Say one person sets out on a selfish, immoral business venture that quickly yields considerable income.

Many would consider that a success. Say another person prayerfully sought to fulfil the will of God and started some other business. After years of trying, that business failed and went into bankruptcy. Which situation is better?

Clearly, the one who sought to fulfil the will of God is the winner. Why?

Because the spiritual fruit of fidelity to the will of God. Despite worldly setbacks, produced an eternal treasure more valuable than earthly wealth.

God judges the heart, not the worldly outcome. In fact, from an earthly perspective alone, Jesus’ life was a complete failure. He was arrested, charged with a capital crime, beaten and killed.

The plan for Jesus’s earthly Kingdom is to have many followers. However, it was never established during Jesus’ time. Many folk abandoned Jesus when He was killed. And even after He rose from the dead. He didn’t establish an earthly kingdom.

Of course, in the spiritual realm, the realm of eternal realities, Jesus’ life was infinitely successful. His death destroyed death itself, and His Resurrection enabled all who believed in Him to share in eternal life. His spiritual Kingdom is now in full bloom and will one day be visible to all.

Consider

If you were in charge of the Temple treasury. And you were given the same option that Jesus pointed to of receiving. There are large sums of money from the rich or the two coins from the poor widow. Which would be better to accept the two coins?

Would you choose to live more according to the world’s values than the values of the spiritual Kingdom of God?

God Wants All of You

The poor widow gave more than two small coins. She also gave the spiritual gift of her generosity and complete trust in God. She gave all she had and trusted that God would take care of her and use her gift for good.

This is infinitely more fruitful for building the Kingdom of God than the gift of someone’s excess of money. God does not need our money. But we need to give it.

We need to be detached from it.

We need to be ready and willing to give everything we have.

We need to give all that we are, our entire livelihood, to God. This is trust.

Reflection

Reflect, today – What will have far more significant eternal ramifications for the salvation of souls?

Think about the compliment Jesus pays to this poor widow. “She, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” Do you contribute your whole livelihood?

Do you dedicate everything you have? Do you dedicate all your energies and gifts? Do you give to God and all that you are to the service of God for His glory?

We are all called to give everything to God—not just a portion of our lives. Reflect upon how well you imitate this poor widow and seek to follow her holy example.

Prayer

Most generous Lord, You gave all that You had. You gave all that You are, out of love for the world’s salvation.

Help me to imitate Your total gift. Help me to return all to You. Help me to entrust my entire life, all that I am, and my entire livelihood to You. Jesus, I Love You.

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I’m Paula Rose Parish — a former atheist of 21 years, Protestant pastor for over 40 years, and now a Catholic convert. After a powerful encounter where Jesus audibly called me to follow Him, my life was forever changed. I’ve ministered across Australia, the USA, and the UK, and today, I share my journey of faith, hope, and transformation.

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