And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
By Jesus looking up is not meant to say that the treasury was on an elevated spot, for Mark tells us that he sat over against it. It was near to the temple, and placed there most probably for conveniency, that those who were going to or from the temple might bring their alms. Our Lord furnisheth a lovely example of a poor widow, in her rich and costly offering. How little is understood of the nature of true charity. A man may give thousands, and yet have no real charity towards God. And another may give but little, yea, nothing, and yet in the Lord's sight be very bountiful. And the reason is plain. Where the love of God in Christ is in the heart, this, like a fountain, will diffuse streams from the same source all around. But, where that first and predisposing cause of all that is good is wanting, the motive cannot be right, and therefore nothing of good can follow. Hence thousands may be bestowed, and no true charity accompanying. And a precious child of God, like Peter, may have nothing to give, and yet in God's sight be a most liberal soul. Acts 3:6.