To offer something is easy. To give "all" is most difficult as it threatens our security. When and where does one get the courage to give "all"? It can happen only when one is capable of seeking security beyond oneself: only when God becomes the source of one's security. The more we possess the less capable we become of giving ourselves. The poor widow symbolises the reversal of the value system which the Kingdom of God brings about. The story heightens the contrast between the self-righteous, hypocritical piety of the leaders (12:38-40) and the true humble devotion of the common people, represented by a 'poor' widow (12:40,42). Jesus had warned his disciples to be cautious about the pretentious piety of the 'scribes'... "who devour the widows' houses" (12: 40). Jesus' break with official Judaism is complete. He admires the true devotion of the common folk: "she had put in everything she had, her whole living" (12:44).

The security of the poor is God himself. Conventional piety and display of devotion is no substitute for total surrender to God, which discipleship requires.Trust in God is diametrically opposed to trust in self, money, power.