The Widow's Might // Rev. Michele Arndt // Mar 22 2026

Throughout our series in Luke for Lent, story after story has invited us to reflect on our theme: "change of heart." Whether it's a man who feels the need to build bigger barns to deal with the "problem" of his abundance, an upstanding religious man whose ability to part with his wealth stands between him and his own question of righteousness, or a "small" man who, though he is despised, rises to the top as the least likely to repent. Each of these characters presents us with startling contrasts and unsettling convictions that leave us asking: how is our relationship to money influencing our love for God and others?In this week's parable, we will find rich people tossing their couch change into the coffers while a poor widow gives just two coins. This parable is often taught as a lesson to imitate the widow and be willing to give all we have. But there is more to the story. This story has less to do with the widow "giving it all to God" and more to do with why she only has two coins in the first place.