Topical Bible: Widows: Though Poor, May be Liberal

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In the biblical narrative, widows are often depicted as vulnerable members of society, yet they are also portrayed as individuals capable of remarkable generosity and faith. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that highlight the potential for widows, despite their economic hardships, to exhibit liberality and devotion.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament law provided specific instructions for the care and protection of widows, recognizing their precarious social and economic position. Deuteronomy 24:19-21 instructs the Israelites to leave behind gleanings in the field for the alien, the fatherless, and the widow, ensuring that these marginalized groups could sustain themselves. This provision underscores the community's responsibility to support widows, yet it also sets the stage for widows to act with generosity when possible.

The Widow of Zarephath

One of the most poignant examples of a widow's liberality is found in 1 Kings 17:8-16. The widow of Zarephath, despite facing dire poverty and the threat of starvation, responds to the prophet Elijah's request for food with remarkable faith and generosity. She uses the last of her flour and oil to prepare a meal for Elijah, trusting in his promise that her supplies would not run out. Her willingness to give, even in extreme poverty, exemplifies the potential for widows to act with selflessness and faith.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus highlights the liberality of widows in His teachings. In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus observes a poor widow contributing two small coins to the temple treasury. He remarks to His disciples, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on" . This account emphasizes that true generosity is measured not by the amount given, but by the spirit and sacrifice behind the gift.

The Early Church and Widows

The early Christian community continued to recognize the importance of caring for widows, as seen in Acts 6:1-6, where the apostles appoint deacons to ensure that the needs of widows are met. This care for widows is further emphasized in 1 Timothy 5:3-16, where Paul provides instructions for the church to honor and support widows, particularly those who are truly in need. However, the passage also acknowledges that some widows, despite their limited means, may choose to devote themselves to good works and acts of charity.

Theological Implications

The biblical portrayal of widows as capable of liberality, despite their poverty, carries significant theological implications. It challenges believers to recognize that true generosity is not contingent upon wealth but is a reflection of one's faith and trust in God. Widows, through their acts of giving, serve as powerful examples of reliance on divine provision and the transformative power of sacrificial love.

In summary, the Bible presents widows as individuals who, though often poor, can exhibit profound generosity and faith. Their accounts and the teachings surrounding them encourage believers to emulate their example of liberality, trusting in God's provision and grace.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 12:42,43
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Liberality to the Poor is Recommended by the Example of the Widow ...
... concludes the chapter by an exhortation to widows to be ... fall from the groaning floor;
but though the harvests ... her dear children, and to minister to the poor. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter v liberality to the.htm

Peculiarities of Tennessee Synod.
... whose ministers they affect to be"for He was poor; He appeared ... hard to procure money
to fill this treasury, of which, though, their widows and orphans ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/peculiarities of tennessee synod.htm

Letter cxxv. To Rusticus.
... maiden sisters and unite themselves to strange widows. ... of Zarephath, [3510] feeds
others though hungry himself. ... substance to meet the needs of Christ's poor. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxv to rusticus.htm

On Kindness and Its Several Parts, Namely, Good-Will and ...
... to help one who presses very hardly on widows and orphans ... whoever has stayed the
hunger of the poor has lightened ... Again he says, as though to the good: "For ye ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxx on kindness and.htm

Entering the Kingdom
... he may give his goods to feed the poor, and it ... value in it"cups of cold water and
widows' mites lying ... It was really a prayer, though it sounded like a vaunt ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/entering the kingdom.htm

2 Cor. Ix. 1
... For, saith He, "there were many widows in the days of Elias ... us "scatter abroad,"
let us "give to the poor" as we ... to come to us; yet through it, though not with ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xix 2 cor ix.htm

Slavery of Redemptioners.
... Old and married people, widows and the frail, nobody ... but poor, naked, and weak, looking
as though they were ... bleed seeing and hearing how these poor human beings ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/slavery of redemptioners.htm

Matt. xx. 29, 30
... bread and raiment, scarcely would one poor person fall ... Yet nevertheless, though in
such great abundance of ... the very rich, consider how many widows it succors ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxvi matt xx 29.htm

The Fifth Book
... Meanwhile the poor are being robbed, widows groan, orphans ... do not repent of their
expatriation, for they would rather live as free men, though in seeming ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fifth book.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... to the wall.' Hear the orphans' cry; pity the widows' tears ... Nay more, you may be
helpful to the poor in stirring ... So though you do not have an estate yourself to ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm