“The Widow’s Mite”: Jesus & the Economics of His New Empire—Part A (Mark 12, Luke 21)

What if the story of the “widow’s mite” isn’t a heartwarming moment about sacrificial giving—but a searing indictment of a broken system?

In this first part of a two-episode deep dive, Dr Tyson Putthoff revisits one of the most misunderstood stories in the Gospels: a poor widow gives her last two coins to the Temple, and Jesus calls it the greatest offering of all. But what most readings miss is what happens just before and after—and what it reveals about Jesus’ view of sacrifice, injustice, and the economy of God’s Kingdom.

This episode re-examines the story through its cultural, historical, and linguistic context—unpacking the original meaning behind “her whole life,” the prophetic critique embedded in Jesus’ words, and the exploitative system that made her life-emptying gift necessary. Along the way, it asks: Are we just admiring the widow’s faith—or are we questioning the world that demanded everything from her?

If you’ve ever wondered whether Jesus really expects the poor to carry the weight of devotion—this episode will give you a whole new lens. Jesus sees the widow, just as he sees you. But he is also fully aware of those who crush those like the widow.

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