The Widow and Her Two Copper Coins – Ken Williams
Luke 21:1 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on”. (NIV)
My neighbor and friend, Deputy Don, is a retired Monroe County sheriff. During his thirty years of service, he protected all people he was called on to help. His concern for other people’s welfare inspired him to become a county sheriff. He continues helping others in his retirement. He welcomed and helped Nancy and me get settled when we moved in next door.
Don is a wholehearted servant of our Lord, Jesus Christ, without a trace of being religious. He maintains his physical fitness to compensate for damage from professional injuries. He was tattooed before the current fad, and these identify his devotion to Jesus and his service to others. He’s at home on his motorcycle and has been president of a motorcycle club made up mostly of retired city police and county sheriffs. Don exhibits the serenity and selflessness of a Christ-follower but has both feet firmly planted on the ground, where he’s learned to accept life on life’s terms. In time I learned the story behind his faith in Jesus and how he had the courage and willingness to serve others even in the face humiliation and threats to his life.
During the summer, Don and his friends gathered for fellowship, food, drinks, and cigars. They invited me to join them, and when I was younger, I shared a good cigar with them. I benefited by listening to their stories about their experiences. On a day when it was just Don and me, I asked him if he had used his pistol in the line of duty. He answered, “Yes, but I never shot anyone.”
Thirty years of duty without shooting anyone.
Don shared an example with me. He had been called by his dispatch to intervene in a reported case of domestic violence. A woman opened the door of her apartment and pointed at a large man she accused of hurting her. Don said the man was easily twice his size and began walking around a circular kitchen table toward him. Don kept the table between them and encouraged him to calm down and talk. The man continued moving toward him, threatening him. He realized the man could throw the table out of the way so he told him to stay where he was, or he would pull his pistol and stop him.
Don maintained his composure and the man could see he wasn’t bluffing. He chose to sit down and surrender. The backup arrived and used two sets of handcuffs to restrain him. He was too large to fit in a sheriff’s cruiser, so they used an ambulance to take him into custody. Don said he knew he and the woman were in danger but gave the man a moment to consider his options and it worked. He protected the abused woman, saved the man’s life, and his own.
I asked him how he could remain calm and rational in a volatile circumstance like this. It’s clear that some officers have misused their authority, but he and his friends had not. I asked, “How did you remain professional, seeking to save lives when your own was at risk?” Don leaned forward, pulling a small round object on a chain hung around his neck and asked me if I knew what it is. It was too small for me to identify so I said, “I don’t know, what is it?” He said, “It’s a mite.” Surprised, I said, “It’s a widow’s mite!”
I asked, “O.K., but what’s the significance of wearing a widow’s tiny copper coin around your neck?
Don explained the following, “I knew you would know what it is. I wear it because it is small and nearly worthless, and yet our Lord paid attention to the widow acknowledging her selfless, self-surrendering, gift of love for God. She trusted and loved God.” Don explained that Jesus didn’t disrespect the small offering but rather praised her for her selfless act in giving all she had.” Don explained that he knew our Lord’s eye is on him and that he makes it possible for him to follow his self-sacrificing, selfless self-giving. I am inspired by knowing Jesus is in Don, living his life of self-sacrificing love, anticipating Don will follow him and serve others that God loves unconditionally.
Conclusion? The widow and her two copper coins instruct us how we can be more like Jesus.
Ken and Nancy Williams served for some 25 years in pastoral ministry, and then almost another 20 years serving and mentoring other pastors. With the heart of a pastor Ken continues to write and blog from upstate New York where he and Nancy live close to their grandchildren.
Plain Truth Ministries | Box 300 | Pasadena, CA 91129-0300
