July 30, 2026 · David Farmer
Less is More
“Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.””
Luke 21:1-4 →
## Sound No Trumpet
I remember about 10 years ago walking in to a nursery business to work on their telephone line. There was a picture on the wall of a wellknown celebrity and the owner of that business shaking hands over a check for $5,000.00. This had been given several years in the past, but the girls who worked there were still proud enough of the picture to point it out to me before I left. For this clout and pomp, he flew all the way out from his home in California to poor little South Carolina to present a $5,000 check?! Now, I admit there’s no way of knowing how many things like this he has done, but his career in showbiz started in the 70’s. Around the time I saw that picture, he was building a $28 million home in Malibu, CA with not just one pool, but two! His net worth is reported at about $425 million. This is equivalent to bringing home a $10,000 paycheck and giving 11¢ to a charity; then having your picture taken with the charity’s CEO. Please excuse me for not being impressed. Matthew 6:1-2 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them… Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do… that they may be praised by others.” Many of you will probably already know that the Greek word for “hypocrites” is the word they used for actors on a stage. Curious the parallels performed by our modern actors.
## The Poorer; The More-er
Some of the “dirt floor shack” poor I’ve met in other countries have taught me a few lessons. I’ve seen their faith shine brighter and their smiles stretch wider. This widow doesn’t have faith in two small coins. We would think that insane! She easily gives it to God believing He will provide what’s needed later.
## Self-Check
Back in Luke 6, Mark wrote, “The poor are fortunate because they possess the Kingdom of God.” I wonder if Jesus might even be suggesting, “You poor are blessed not to be distracted by so many things that you can’t see God. He is all you have really, so in having less, you have the most.” What is all you have to live on? Compared to God’s storehouse, our earthly millions are two small copper coins. Are you living on coins or God?
## It's Not All Physical