A Widow’s Gift and a Warning About What’s to Come (Luke 21:1-24)
In Luke 21:1–24, we read two important moments in Jesus’ teaching. First, He notices a poor widow giving a small offering, and then He gives a serious warning about difficult times ahead. Both parts are deeply meaningful and show us what really matters to God.
Let’s walk through it together.
A Tiny Gift with a Big Message
Jesus was at the temple, watching people bring their offerings. Many rich people were putting in large amounts of money. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins—almost nothing by the world’s standards.
But Jesus turned to His disciples and said something surprising:
“This poor widow has given more than all the others. They gave from their extra, but she gave all she had.”
What a powerful truth! God doesn’t measure generosity by the size of the gift, but by the heart behind it. The widow gave sacrificially, not just what was easy. Even though she had little, she trusted God enough to give what she had.
This teaches us that real giving is about faith, not just finances.
A Shocking Prediction
As people admired the beautiful temple, with its stones and decorations, Jesus told them something unexpected:
“The day is coming when all of this will be destroyed—not one stone will be left on another.”
That would have been hard to imagine. The temple was the center of Jewish life and worship. But Jesus was warning them that the things they put their trust in—like buildings, systems, or even traditions—would not last forever.
What the Future Holds
The disciples wanted to know more. “When will this happen?” they asked. So Jesus gave them a serious message about what was coming.
He told them there would be:
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False teachers and people claiming to be the Savior
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Wars and revolutions
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Earthquakes, famines, and disease
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Persecution for those who follow Jesus
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Betrayals, even by close friends or family
These were not easy words to hear. Jesus wasn’t trying to scare them—He was preparing them. He didn’t promise life would always be smooth, but He did promise to be with them.
“Not a hair of your head will be lost. Stand firm, and you will win life.”
Jesus wanted His followers to stay faithful and trust God, even when things around them fell apart.
The Fall of Jerusalem
Jesus also gave a very specific warning: Jerusalem would one day be surrounded by armies, and many people would suffer.
This actually happened about 40 years later, in 70 A.D., when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. Jesus’ words were not just spiritual—they were real and historical.
What We Can Learn
Luke 21:1–24 may seem heavy at times, but it gives us hope and direction. Here are a few key lessons:
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God sees the small things. Even a tiny act of faith, like the widow’s offering, matters to Him.
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Don’t put your trust in things that don’t last. Buildings, money, and even worldly power can fall apart. Only God remains forever.
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Tough times will come, but Jesus will be with us. He prepares us so we won’t be shaken.
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Stand firm in faith. God honors those who stay true to Him, even when it’s hard.
Final Thought:
Life won’t always be easy—but we are not alone. Whether we’re giving from our need or walking through hard times, God sees, cares, and promises to carry us through. So don’t lose heart. Keep trusting, keep giving, and keep standing firm.
Luke 21:1-24 (WEB)
21:1 He looked up and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins. 3 He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them, 4 for all these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.”5 As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said, 6 “As for these things which you see, the days will come in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down.”7 They asked him, “Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?”8 He said, “Watch out that you don’t get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is at hand.’ Therefore don’t follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and disturbances, don’t be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won’t come immediately.”10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 It will turn out as a testimony for you. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict. 16 You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death. 17 You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake. 18 And not a hair of your head will perish.19 “By your endurance you will win your lives.20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. 22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath to this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.