Luke 21:3

Arabic 1978 (APD) (Kitaab al Vahd aj Jadid 1978)

Wa gaal, “Be_l ḥagg aguul leekum, al armala al miskiina di xaṭṭat aktar min al kull.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse from Luke's Gospel, Jesus is speaking and says that a poor widow who gave her last coins to the temple treasury has given more than all the rich people who donated large sums because she gave everything she had.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have only two cookies left, but your friend has lots of cookies. If both of you share one cookie each with someone else, even though it’s less in number, you are sharing more because that's all you have. That's like the widow Jesus was talking about.

Historical Background

This verse is from the Gospel of Luke, written by a doctor and companion of Paul around AD 60-80 for Gentile Christians. It describes an incident where Jesus comments on people’s offerings at the temple in Jerusalem.

Living It Out Today

In today's context, this could mean that someone who donates a small amount from their meager savings to help others is making a bigger sacrifice than someone with wealth donating a large sum but still keeping plenty for themselves.

Topics

• generosity
• sacrifice
• riches and poverty
• faithfulness
• Jesus' teachings
• giving

Related Verses

• Mark 12:41-44
• Matthew 6:2-4
• Acts 5:1-11
• 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
• 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this mean large donations aren't valuable?

No, it doesn’t undermine the value of larger donations. Jesus emphasizes that the widow gave more because she offered everything she had.

How does this apply to modern financial giving?

It suggests that the spirit and intention behind a donation are as important as the amount given, encouraging thoughtful and sacrificial generosity.

Is there a minimum amount one should give?

The verse doesn’t set a specific amount but encourages giving from what you have, emphasizing heart over quantity.

What can we learn about our relationship with money?

We can learn to view wealth as a tool for service rather than just personal gain and to consider the spirit of generosity in all financial decisions.