Following Jesus · Part 23 of 40 · 2 min
Two Small Coins
Jesus sat near the place where people put gifts into the temple treasury. He watched them come and go.
Some wealthy people gave large amounts. Their gifts could make quite a sound as the coins fell into the offering boxes.
Coins dropped into the treasury.
Then a poor widow came. She put in two tiny copper coins, worth very little compared with the large gifts.
Most people might not have noticed her at all. But Jesus noticed.
He called his disciples and explained that she had given more than the others.
The wealthy had given from what they could spare. The widow had given everything she had to live on.
Her small gift showed a large trust in God. Jesus valued the love and sacrifice behind it.
The widow walked away from the offering place.
We cannot always know what a gift costs the person who gives it. A small gift may carry great love.
We can be generous with what we have: our time, our attention, or something we can share. We should also care for people who have too little.
Jesus sees the heart. No loving gift is too small for him to notice.
Retelling of Mark 12:41–44.
Supporting reading: The Desire of Ages, chapter 67. Open the book
Talk about it together
- Generosity
- Trust in God
- How many tiny coins did the widow put into the treasury?
- How might someone feel if they thought their gift was too small?
- What could we share today that is not money?
Activity · 2–5 minutes
Two Gifts of Attention
Hold up two fingers to remember the coins. With a grown-up, think of two gifts of attention you could offer, such as listening to a story or helping tidy. Choose one and explain whom it might help today.
Try it today: A gift of time or attention can carry a great deal of love.
More stories with these values
Count and choose
Open the interactive activity or prepare a printable sheet for home, classroom, or family.
Open activity →