Jeff Myers noted a common misconception in the reading of the passage of the widow’s contribution in Mark 12. This is commonly taken as a great example of sacrificial giving because she gave all she had. But what comes next? Jesus leaves the temple and pronounces its doom, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” His anger is roused by the leaders of the temple allowing this woman to give her last penny and not reaching out to help her. The priests are rich and the temple is adorned with “wonderful stones” from the proceeds of the offerings. They had built an empire on the backs of the poor, and just like Egypt they would be thrown down.
