The document summarizes the biblical story of the Widow's Mite, in which Jesus observes a poor widow donating two small copper coins to the temple treasury. While others gave large sums out of their wealth, Jesus notes that the widow's small donation was worth more because it represented all she had to live on. The story teaches that God values sacrifice over gift size and that small gifts can be used by God. The document also discusses applying the story's lesson through mite boxes, which children can fill with coins to learn giving principles.

1. The Widow’s mite

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

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

4. The story is one of contrasts...
VS
Greatness Nothingness

5. 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.

6. The “mites”
The copper coins, or “mites”
as they’re sometimes called
were lepton, the smallest
valued coin in circulation

7. 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."

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Each 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!

11. THE END