The widow's mites..........take two

     There is the story about Jesus and some of his disciples who were watching the people come to offer their contributions to the temple.  Some came with large amounts.  Others gave smaller amounts.  Finally a little old woman came and carefully put two pennies in the treasury.  Jesus pointed to the woman and said, "Look at this wonderful woman who gave her two pennies,"  The disciples were puzzled.  "Two pennies!"  they exclaimed.  "Of all the magnificent donations given here today, why are you pointing to this poor woman as an example?"   Jesus said, "You don't understand, but she gave more than anyone else."  They said, "Two pennies - more than anyone else?  Explain that to us, Rabbi."  He said, "Yes, for her the two pennies represented all she had."
     How remarkable!
     But let's examine the story further.  Sometimes what is not told has a more profound lesson that what is told.  Consider what Jesus did not do.  He did not take the two pennies out of the treasury and return them to the old lady, saying, "Here, old woman, we have observed that you are so poor and so pitiful that we are going to give you back your two pennies."   What an insult that would have been!  She would surely have said, "What's the matter, aren't my two pennies good enough?  They represent a considerable portion of what I own.  Would you take away my dignity?"   Of course, this scene did not occur.  And therein lies the most profound lesson.

-Jim Rohn, Seven Strategies for Wealth and Happiness,
an excerpt.