The big ideaThe Bible tells us Jesus said the widow gave more than all the rest.
How it works
Jesus sat in the temple in Jerusalem, near the big brass chests where people put their gifts.
A rich man poured in handfuls of heavy coins with a loud clink, and many others gave large amounts too.
Then a poor widow came in a plain, faded robe and put in two tiny coins, the smallest money there was. Hardly anyone noticed, but Jesus did.
He told his friends that she had put in more than all the others. They gave from what they had to spare, and she gave everything she had to live on.
Two gifts.
Example 1: Count what she had
The widow had two tiny coins.
She put in both of them.
She kept none: 2 - 2 = 0. She gave everything she had to live on.
Example 2: Put it in order
Jesus sat near the chests and watched the gifts.
The rich man poured in heavy coins.
The widow put in two tiny coins.
Jesus called his friends and told them she had given the most.
Example 3: Fix the mistake
Someone says the widow poured in handfuls of heavy coins.
Look back: that was the rich man.
Fix it: the widow put in two tiny coins.
Words to know
temple
The big house in Jerusalem where people came to pray.
widow
A woman whose husband has died.
generous
Glad to give, even when it costs you something.
gift
Something you give to someone else.
Watch out
A bigger noise did not mean a bigger gift. The story says Jesus looked at the giver, and not only at the gift.
The Bible never tells us the widow's name.
The part about where the widow walked next is imagined. The Bible does not say where she went.
Try it
How many tiny coins did the widow put in?
What did she keep for herself?
Who made the loud clink?
What does the episode say makes a gift big?
Answers: 1. Two · 2. Nothing · 3. The rich man · 4. That it comes from the heart
Try at homeWith a grown-up, think of a small gift you can give this week, like your time, a hug, or a coin for someone in need.
For grown-upsThe episode asks what makes a gift big. You can ask your child about the widow's gift in the story's own words, and about a small gift they could give this week.
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