Chapter 7

The Widow’s Mite: A Key to Living the First and Great Commandment

Mark 12:44 And the common people heard him gladly; but the high priest and the elders were offended at him.

45 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes which love to go in long clothing, and have salutations in the market places, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts;

46 Who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers; these shall receive greater damnation.

47 And after this, Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury; and many that were rich cast in much.

48 And there came a certain poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.

49 And Jesus called his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they who have cast into the treasury;

50 For all the rich did cast in of their abundance; but she notwithstanding her want, did cast in all that she had; yea, even all her living.

It is fascinating to note that in the same chapter in Mark which refers to the First and Great commandment is also where Jesus talks of the widow’s mite.  The widow’s mite may give us a clue as to how to give our all so that we can fulfill the first of all commandments.  It is not a coincidence that at the same time that Jesus declared the first commandment, that he also told what is expected in order to give our all. 

Note that this was not a parable.  Jesus sat by the treasury and was watching the people cast in their donations.  He watched the poor widow come and cast in her two mites,

49 And Jesus called his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they who have cast into the treasury;

50 For all the rich did cast in of their abundance; but she notwithstanding her want, did cast in all that she had; yea, even all her living. 

The rich gave of their abundance, but did not give their all.  The rich gave, yes, they gave a lot and it was received and probably blessed the treasury and the temple.  Jesus did not condemn the rich who gave of their abundance, he did not say they would not be blessed for it or that it was paid in vain.  What I believe He was saying is that, here, through this poor widow, is a perfect example of how one can fulfill and live the First commandment that I just barely spoke about.  The widow loved the Lord her God with all her “mite”.  While there may be a little humor here, it is more serious than humorous.  Maybe the similarity between “might” and “mite” was not coincidental, Jesus knew what he was saying when referring to the least of the currency at that time.  When we give with all of our might, we are giving all of our living, all of our mite, regardless of how small it may be in relation to things of the world.

You may not feel that you have a lot to give because, as you said above, “I am only human and I can’t give my all”.  However, if you are like the widow, and only have two mites to give, you cast in all that you have and it is counted unto you as having given your all.  Whereas, if you have been richly blessed with great advantages in life and with education and abilities, you are expected to cast in much more, all that you have.  Anything less than that may result in blessings, but you will never know the joy and liberation that comes from obeying the First commandment.

D&C 82:3 For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.

Another key is found in verse 44, “And the common people heard him gladly; but the high priest and the elders were offended at him.”  The common people, and probably the poor people, heard him gladly.  This is significant and an extremely important part of giving our all. The poor widow, a member of the common people, gladly cast in her two mites.  Likewise, she and other common people, gladly heard what Jesus had to say.  The high priests, the elders, the privileged class and those who were considered important (more than common) were offended at him.  However, if they wanted to give their all, they would have feasted on the words of Christ.   So, not only is it a question of giving all of our wealth, it is a question of giving all of ourselves by recognizing our pride, recognizing that we are sinners and that the things of the world get in our way so that we do not gladly hear him and do not gladly obey the First commandment.  By comprehending the light of the world, even Jesus Christ, and having ears to hear “gladly”, we are casting in our two mites, regardless of how materially wealthy we are.