the widow and her mite

"The fact that the government has to have a "safety net" to catch those who would slip between the cracks of our economic system is evidence that Christians fail to do God's work."

--"Giving the Widow's Mite" by Joe Carter in Comment e-zine http://www.cardus.ca/comment/article/1105/

I agree with the oft-used interpretation of Jesus' teaching on the Widow who gave "all that she had" to the temple treasury, as an admonition to us to give, no matter how little we may have to give from.

However, I once was reading through Mark and read this incident immediately after reading the preceding bit, in which Jesus is calling out the religious leaders for "devouring widows' houses." On the heels of that blasting, it struck me that Jesus was (perhaps) here making his point--"see, in order for this widow to give to the temple, she must give all that she has" implying, "If you religious leaders hadn't already taken everything from her, and instead were protecting her, she could give AND have something left for herself to live on."

I don't know. What do you think? I certainly don't want to move from the very practical application of the common interpretation to an abstract debate...rather, I think there is a secondary call to practical action: Take care of those who are impoverished because of circumstances outside their control (in this society, widows and orphans)...