In 2006, the cost of producing a penny became higher than its actual face value for the first time. Driven by the increasing price of metals like zinc and copper by 2024, the cost to produce and distribute one U.S. penny reached an all time high of 3.69 cents, over three times its actual value. In our passage this morning, Jesus calls over His disciples to observe something that gives joy to the heart of God: a poor widow gives to God what Jesus says are her last and only two pennies. He says that the value of those two pennies given with the heart that she has is greater than the value of the large amounts given by the wealthy worshippers that day who had plenty to spare. Jesus knew what is true of the penny today. In God’s economy what it takes to form and to forge a heart that is willing to give those last two pennies is of more value than the face value of the actual pennies themselves. God’s economy is famous for not working the same way that our earthly economy does. Let’s look deeper at how two pennies in an open hand to God are a much greater sum than a closed fistful of dollars.
