June Pastor’s Pen—Common Cents

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He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’   (Mark 12: 41-44)

In 1987, Mike Hayes, a freshman at the University of Illinois, found a unique way to finance his education. He convinced a popular columnist at the Chicago Tribune to ask his readers to “send a penny to Mike.” “Just one penny,” Hays said. “A penny doesn’t mean anything to anyone. If everyone…looks around to the room right now, there will be a penny under the couch cushion or on the floor. That’s all I’m asking. A penny from each of your readers”.

In less than a month the fund was up to 2.3 million cents. Donations came in from all over the US, as well as Mexico, Canada, and the Bahamas. Mike eventually ended up with $28,000!

The common cent just isn’t worth much…unless it’s added to the whole bunch of other pennies. The woman we read about in Mark 12 gave the equivalent of a fraction of a penny, which was “all that she had”. But Jesus honored that little bit.

The widow’s sacrifice was an example and an encouragement to the disciples and to us.

She gave all she had. Have we ever been so generous? Jesus used an unnamed widow to teach us what giving is all about. It was less than a cent, yet it was a priceless gift of love to God.

If there is one identifying marker of God’s Church on earth, it is that of a giving Church. Time and time again, God’s beloved continue to give to needs within the Church. As we move into the Pentecost Season, may we, the body of Christ at First Lutheran, continue to give to the needs within the congregation and to serve those in the our community and beyond.

Blessings and Peace,

Pastor Steve