Widows were often counted among
the poorest, most vulnerable, and voiceless in first-century Palestinian
society — they had no security, no claim on property, no protection, and little
resources. They were also socially
marginalized. Tithe loss of a husband in ancient Israel was normally a social
and economic tragedy. In a generally patriarchal culture, the death of a
husband usually meant a type of cultural death as well. Although the denotation
of widow referred to a woman whose husband had died, because of the social
context the word quickly acquired the connotation of a person living a marginal
existence in extreme poverty. Since she was in an extremely vulnerable economic
position, she became the prime target of exploitation. The fact that she was classed
with the landless stranger and Levite indicates that she was often unable to
keep her husband's land.
Whether you
read Moses and the prophets, the Psalms and the Proverbs of Solomon, the four
Gospels, or the book of Acts and the letters to the churches in the New
Testament, you will not be able to read far without the subject of widows
coming up. There are about eighty direct references to widows in the
Scriptures.
Widow mentioned 56 times in the Old Testament and 26 times in the New Testament.
The
widows we will consider today had no voice. There is no record of anything
spoken by them.
My
profession: I am a Speech-Language Pathologist and I work with people who have
communication disorders—no voice—people of all ages. I am currently working
with 5-year-old children, many who are nonverbal or minimally verbal. They are
socially marginalized. But if you consider closely, I do this by administering
tests, TECEL Test of Early Communication and Emergent Language, in the form of
observations and parent/teacher interviews, they are using other forms of
communication including gesture, eye gaze, eye contact, behaviors….
If we consider closely
these voiceless widows who were shown to us through the scriptures, we will
find that their silent voices will speak to our souls. As you read these scriptures, consider
the words and phrases, the language that speaks to you and find their
voices.
Consider Closely: the silent voice of a widow in a parable told by Christ
Persistent:
Luke 18:1- 8 1 And he spake a parable unto
them to this end, that men ought
always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a
city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in
that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a
while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard
man;
5 Yet because this widow
troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear
what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not
God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he
bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he
will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh,
shall he find faith on the earth?
Be
persistent in prayer. Dutiful. After all you can do. I think that there is a
confidence that comes with giving your all. Alma prayed for his son.
Consider Closely:
the silent voice of a widow who has an encounter with Christ
the silent voice of a widow who has an encounter with Christ
Luke 13: 10-16 10 And he was teaching in
one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11 ¶And, behold, there was a
woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together,
and could in no wise lift up herself.
12 And when Jesus saw her,
he called her to him, and said unto her,
Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
Eighteen years - This affliction had
continued a long time. This shows that the miracle was real; that the disease
was not feigned. Though thus afflicted, yet it seems she was regular in
attending the worship of God in the synagogue. There in the sanctuary, is the
place where the afflicted find consolation; and there it was that the Savior
met her and restored her to health. It is in the sanctuary and on the Sabbath,
also, that he commonly meets his people, and gives them the joys of his
salvation.
Woman
with spirit of infirmity: Sat separate, sometimes behind a screen or a veil. Have
you ever been apart; behind a screen or a veil, bowed together – fetal position
– could in no wise lift herself up,
But
Christ saw her. He called her to him. How does Christ call us to him? ………. Just show up. Just go. Be there.
Becky Croft’s Story:
A year and a half ago my brother committed suicide. With such a horrific
event, there are so many questions, so much guilt, and so few answers. He died
on a Friday night and the following Sunday,
I got up, thought to myself that I didn't need to, shouldn’t, or couldn't go to
church. I knew it would be awkward and didn't want to answer questions, or even
receive sympathy from people. I was unbearably sad. However, I got in the
shower and prepared to do what I do I do every Sunday. I
can’t say there was any one thing said that day or hymn sung that I remember
touching my heart but I will never forget the spirit the soothed by soul that
day and helped me to feel peace and forgiveness.
Just show up. Be there in the sanctuary so that Christ can lift you up
and heal you.
Consider Closely:
the silent voice of a widow
from an observation
made by Christ
from an observation
made by Christ
Luke 20: 47 Beware
of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in
the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief
rooms at feasts;
47 Which devour widows’
houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater
damnation.
During the Second Temple period, the Temple
institution collected a half-shekel tax annually. This tax was designated for the daily
and Shabbat (festival) sacrifices, their libations, the omer, the
two loaves of bread, the show bread, the communal sacrifices and other needs of
the Temple
These scribes about
which Jesus warns the disciples to be wary use their social location, power,
and wealth only for themselves. Sure, Jesus points out, they “give to the
church” (to use a modern phrase), but they do so only in the most superficial
and painless way. Their real concern is their own, maintaining their wealth,
and shoring up their hegemony at the expense of the poorest and most vulnerable
of their time.
Which devour the families of widows, or the means of supporting their
families. This they did under pretense of counseling them in the knowledge of
the law and in the management of their estates. They took advantage of their
ignorance and their unprotected state, and either extorted large sums for their
counsel, or perverted the property to their own use.
The Scribes were universally employed in making wills and conveyances of
property. They may have abused their influence with widows.
Through their hypocrisy, in the hope of thus more
effectually imposing upon their victims, lengthened out their prayers.
Luke 21: 1-4 And he
looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the
treasury.
4 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.
The treasury of the temple was located in the Court of Women. The book The
Temple—Its Ministry and Services says: “All around ran a simple colonnade,
and within it, against the wall, the thirteen chests, or ‘trumpets,’ [where]
contributions were placed.”
The offering chests in the temple
were called “shofar chests” or “trumpet chests” since the mouths of the coffers
were trumpet-shaped, wide at the top and narrow at the entrance into the chest,
in order to facilitate giving the offering and in order to prevent theft from
the offering chest. Sounding the trumpet, then, might be a reference to tossing
coins noisily into the trumpet-shaped coffer and thereby calling attention to
one’s generosity. Jesus said that the giver blew his trumpet “to be applauded
by people” (lit. “so that they might be glorified by the people”). With these
words Jesus made the true motive of the giver very clear. He did not give out
of a desire to meet the needs of the poor, nor did he give out of pity for the
underprivileged. Instead he gave out of a desire for self-aggrandizement. What
was intended to be a selfless act was perverted into a completely selfish act.
Two chests were reserved for the temple tax—one for the current year and
one for the past year. Chests 3 to 7 were for collecting funds for the
appointed value of turtledoves, pigeons, wood, incense, and golden vessels
respectively. If the offerer had set aside more than the stipulated price for
an offering, then he deposited the leftover amount in one of the remaining
chests. Chest 8 was for money left over from sin offerings. Chests 9 through 12
held funds left over from guilt offerings, from the sacrificing of birds, from
the offerings of Nazirites, and from the offerings of lepers. Chest 13 was for
voluntary contributions.
In Luke 21.1-4 it is recorded that Jesus contrasted
the gifts that the rich people gave with the two mites (Greek: lepta,
singular: lepton) of the widow. How did he know that this widow had
cast in two little coins? Thirteen wooden boxes with trumpet-shaped bronze
funnels to guide the coins into the box were placed under the colonnades of the
Court of the Women. This area was the actual Treasury. The sound these coins
made against the metal would have indicated how much people offered to the
Temple.
An auditory illustration: I poured a large amount
of coins into a metal container and it made quite a loud clatter. Then I
dropped in two small coins.
Can
you imagine how difficult it was for her to climb the steps, maneuver around
all of the people in their fine attire and heavy purses? Do you think it was
her first time? What keeps her going back? Somehow rise above all of that. Something else has to
motivate her
Love
of God. Obedience. Faith. Humility.
Giving from your
need, especially when it goes against human logic, moves God’s heart!
“Give, and it shall
be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running
over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal
it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38
).
).
As President Spencer W. Kimball
reminded us, “What glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and from
small but deliberate deeds!” (TSWK, 252).
President
Brigham Young grew to know that God provides for those who give freely of their
substance to others. He wrote:
The first year that I came into this valley I had not flour
enough to last my family until harvest, and that I had brought with me, and
persons were coming to my house every day for bread. I had the blues about [it] one
day; I went down to the old fort, and by the time I got back to my house I was
completely cured. I said to my wife, “Do not let a person come here for food
and go away empty handed, for if you do we shall suffer before harvest; but if
you give to every individual that comes we shall have enough to last us
through.’
I have proven this many a time, and we have again proven it
this year. I have plenty on hand, and shall have plenty, if I keep giving away.
More than two hundred persons eat from my provisions every day, besides my own
family and those who work for me.
I intend to keep doing so, that my bread may hold out, for
if I do not I shall come short.
Do you believe that principle? I know it is true, because I
have proven it so many times. [JD 3:332–33]
How does
this resonate with you?
What other
scriptures shed light on this?
D
and C 64:34 the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind
Matthew
22:37 D and C 22:37 Love with heart and might soul mind
Matthew
19: 16-22 Rich Young man.
David
2 Samuel 24:24 prophet Gad King Araunah
What
is enough? When do we have enough and what is our excess. Of our ALL our abundance.
Do you feel that you can always give more? Food bank, fast offerings. How much
shall we give? Are there excuses? We’ve got three kids in college, we’re taking
that trip, saving for a new car.
People who have
less, give more. A few years back, while reflecting on
this reading, I wrote about a New York Times Magazine article
that highlighted the myth of philanthropy and the “benefits to the poor” of
having the super wealthy (“Today’s Parable of the Widow’s
Mite“). What this well-researched article revealed was
that the super wealthy, the wealthy and ostentatious “scribes” of today,
actually give less than those
who have middle and lower incomes. Most absurdly, what Jesus observed in his
day remains true today — those with the least continue to give more, by
percentage of their resources, than the wealthy!
In many respects the
real test of a man is his attitude toward his earthly possessions.
In line with
this thinking, our business, then, should be to build the kingdom of God. Many
of us have said, in our more generous and unselfish moments, “If I only had the
wealth, I would build a beautiful church, provide a school for underprivileged
children, supply a hospital where it is needed, etc.”
Probably few
of us will have the great wealth needed to do any of these things by ourselves;
nevertheless, each of us, as we have the desire, can have a share in such
wonderful projects by our contributions, including the payment of our tithes
and offerings.
Nancy
Baird:
Do
you ever give a gift to God without considering if the minimal might do? Vs. the Maximum.
What
does God require from us as our gift to Him?
2
Samuel 24 David offers sacrifice so that the plague will end. Verse 24 neither
will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord of that which costs me nothing.
Do
we give so it is lifted unto the realm of sacrifice? When you make a supper,
don’t call your rich friends, call the poor and the mame
Do
we make our gifts require recompence or once it leaves your hands does it
become an act of grace?
Does It matter how
much we give? Callings that require a lot of time and work, other callings that
are not so demanding, or no calling. Have you felt that certain sense of
confidence in knowing that I gave my all?
Stephen Covey explains these concepts beautifully in his classic The
7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He writes:
Most people are deeply
scripted in what I call the Scarcity Mentality. They see life as having only so
much, as though there were only one pie out there. And if someone were to get a
big piece of the pie, it would mean less for everybody else.
The Scarcity Mentality is
the zero-sum paradigm of life. People with a Scarcity Mentality have a very
difficult time sharing recognition and credit, power or profit—even with those
who help in the production. They also have a hard time being genuinely happy
for the success of other people.
The Abundance Mentality,
on the other hand, flows out of a deep inner sense of personal worth or
security. It is the paradigm that there is plenty out there and enough to spare
for everybody. It results in the sharing of prestige, recognition, profits and
decision-making. It opens possibilities, options, alternatives and creativity.
Covey tells us that when
you live in a world of scarcity, you compete for available resources, even when
there is an abundance of them.
All things common Acts 2:42-47,
Acts 432-35 and 4th Nephi
Jean-Baptiste
Camille Corot (July
16, 1796 – February 22, 1875) was considered the ideal man of charity and kindness.
During the last few
years of his life he earned large sums with his pictures, which were in great
demand. In 1871, he gave £2000 to the poor of Paris, under siege by the
Prussians (part of the Franco-Prussian
War). During the actual Paris
Commune, he was at Arras
with Alfred Robaut. In 1872, he bought a house in Auvers as a gift for Honoré
Daumier, who by then was blind, without resources, and homeless. Finally, in
1875, he donated 10,000 francs to the widow of Jean-Francois
Millet, a fellow member of
the Barbizon School, in support of her children. His charity was near proverbial.
He also financially supported the keep of a day center for children, rue Vandrezanne, in Paris.
Story
of the French gift of a small cottage to a blind man.
The French are a
frugal people who have learned to give so that the recipient feels good in
receiving. Sidney Harris says: “One of the loveliest examples is a
note that Corot the painter sent to his friend Daumier who was nearly blind and
facing eviction on his 65th birthday: ‘Friend, I have a little house at
Valmondois which I could not for the life of me think what to do with.
Suddenly I thought to give it to you. Liking the idea I have had your
ownership legally confirmed. I had no idea of doing you a good turn. The
whole scheme was carried out to annoy your landlord. Ever yours,
Corot.’ And Daumier wrote gratefully in reply: ‘You are the only
man from whom I could take such a present and not feel humiliated.'” From the private files of Nancy Baird
Consider Closely: the silent voice of a widow who has an encounter with an apostle of Christ
Acts 9:36-42 36 ¶Now there was at Joppa a
certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas:
this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37 And it came to pass in
those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they
laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda
was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent
unto him two men, desiring him that he
would not delay to come to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went
with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all
the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which
Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all
forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she
opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had
called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42 And it was known
throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
Tabitha may have been a widow herself, for Luke omits any mention
of her husband or family. Additionally, Tabitha may have been independently
wealthy, for the home where she is laid out awaiting burial is presumably her
home and has an upper room (Acts 9:39). Evidently she offered her hospitality
with flair, for the disciples and widows congregate around her. Perhaps Tabitha
chose to use her wealth to aid the poor and the widows (v. 36).
Luke’s description of Tabitha makes it
easy to imagine her home as welcoming, open and full of people. Luke indicates
that Tabitha’s home functioned as a community center for believers. Tabitha may
well have presided over a house church in her home. Quite likely her home
became a drop off point for donations as she served as a reliable conduit for
goods and services for believers and the wider Joppa citizenry. Tabitha is one
of many New Testament women who, once converted to the new faith, set about
building a community.
He finds the widows grieving loudly in the upper room with the body (v. 39). Not only do the widows mourn Tabitha’s loss; they have valid concerns for their own lives, now that their protector is dead.
He finds the widows grieving loudly in the upper room with the body (v. 39). Not only do the widows mourn Tabitha’s loss; they have valid concerns for their own lives, now that their protector is dead.
The widows’ mourning reciprocates the love Tabitha extended to
them. Arguably she met more than their clothing needs. Her hospitality and
generosity probably gave them food, sanctuary, a home, a warm heart and a
listening ear. Modern research shows that talking not only is crucial to health
but adds to longevity. Tabitha’s outreaching kindness undoubtedly saved lives.
This remarkable woman simply carries on doing good for the
poor and serving her friends, the widows, by making them stylish robes.
Sometimes we must give of our want. Dig deeply into our pockets of punury
and just give.
Giving of
your abundance. We all possess an
abundance of something. What does
that mean? What do you have an
abundance of? How can you make a
gift of your abundance?
Abundance: any time you have more of something
than you need. When you have more
of something than someone else. Then
give. Time, devotion, energy,
humility, resources. money. posessions. patience, skills, knowledge,
spirituality, physical strength……
“Service,” said President Marion G. Romney, “is not something
we endure on this earth so we can earn the right to live in the celestial
kingdom. Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the celestial
kingdom is made”.
What can happen when we give freely of our abundance and of our want? When awe give all:
4 Nephi 1:3, 15-18
And they had all things common among them; therefore
there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and
partakers of the heavenly gift.
15 And it came to pass that
there was no contention in the land, because of the love of
God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.
16 And there were no envyings, nor strifes,
nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner
of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people
among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.
17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there
Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of
Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.
18 And how blessed were they! For the Lord did bless them in all
their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered until an hundred and
ten years had passed away; and the first generation from Christ had passed
away, and there was no contention in all the land.
Despite being counted
among the poorest, most vulnerable, and voiceless of their time, these women in the New Testament, these widows,
deserve to be considered carefully. Their silent voices speak simply and yet also
eloquently proclaim how to live our lives and tell us the changes we can make
today.
