The Widow’s miteThe Widow’s mite

Our story takes place near the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, aprox. 30AD

Our story takes place near the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, aprox. 30AD

The Temple was a truly awesome structure, built by Herod the GreatThe Temple was a truly awesome structure, built by Herod the Great

The story is one of contrasts...

VS

Greatness Nothingness

Being a widow

--women in general had no public status, apart from that granted through an adult male (Father, husband or son)

--A widow without an adult son or father to return to would be completely powerless in this society.

--She would not likely starve to death, as she could beg.....but she would be destitute.

Being a widow

--women in general had no public status, apart from that granted through an adult male (Father, husband or son)

--A widow without an adult son or father to return to would be completely powerless in this society.

--She would not likely starve to death, as she could beg.....but she would be destitute.

The “mites”The “mites”

The copper coins, or “mites” as they’re

sometimes called were lepton, the smallest

valued coin in circulation

The copper coins, or “mites” as they’re

sometimes called were lepton, the smallest

valued coin in circulation

The story• Mark 12: 41 Jesus sat down

opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins (“mites”), worth only a fraction of a penny. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."

From this we learn:

• God notices the difference between the SIZE of the gift and the amount of SACRIFICE it was.

• A gift given from love & devotion is never too small. This enables everyone to be able to give.

• Small gifts and large alike are ABLE to be used by God.

APPLYING The Story...APPLYING The Story...A “Mite Box” is a small cardboard box that is used to save coin money for the purpose of charity or mission work. Mite Boxes are distributed by the church, and then periodically brought back—the money given to the church. Mite boxes are popular with children because they can fill them with small coins and it teaches them the principle of giving to the poor. Mite box giving promotes the spirit of giving based on the intent to help others and not on how much money is given.

A “Mite Box” is a small cardboard box that is used to save coin money for the purpose of charity or mission work. Mite Boxes are distributed by the church, and then periodically brought back—the money given to the church. Mite boxes are popular with children because they can fill them with small coins and it teaches them the principle of giving to the poor. Mite box giving promotes the spirit of giving based on the intent to help others and not on how much money is given.

Each preschool family is invitedEach preschool family is invited

to receive a Mite Box from Holy Spirit Lutheran Church. You can put coins in it throughout the month, and then you or your child can bring it in on the last school day of each month as an “offering” to God for charity and mission work. This is VOLUNTARY. You don’t have to do this. It is merely a way of helping the children learn about the importance of giving to support the work of God. God bless you!

to receive a Mite Box from Holy Spirit Lutheran Church. You can put coins in it throughout the month, and then you or your child can bring it in on the last school day of each month as an “offering” to God for charity and mission work. This is VOLUNTARY. You don’t have to do this. It is merely a way of helping the children learn about the importance of giving to support the work of God. God bless you!

THE ENDTHE END