Give what you can – this is truly a relative statement for today’s reading.

If rich people donate large sums, then from their standpoint, it’s only a fraction of their wealth. While this is helpful to the recipient, this does not mean nearly as much to the person giving. What means more is if someone “poor” or someone that’s not financially well off donates a substantial portion of their earnings.

This might sound confusing or simply not make any sense. So what does it really mean?

I’m not necessarily sure if Mark had meant to write this from a financial standpoint. It’s definitely not the smartest, nor most feasible option for people less privileged to give money away. What I realize is that if you give your all to a cause, as opposed to only a fraction, its impact is that much more significant from a personal standpoint. Particularly, in a pure and whole-hearted nature. Don’t get me wrong, contributions of all sorts can help a lot, but the results can be tremendous when putting yourself “out there.”

The more you give to something, the more you get out of it. And hence, the opportunities that unfold before your eyes.

Comment to begin discussion.

The Reading | Mk 12:41-44

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury
and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood.”