Widow's Mite

On a trip to Israel, John and Sarita Holzmann learned that Israel allows the sale of ancient coins from archaeological sites – something that almost none of the other Mediterranean countries allow. As one shopkeeper explained, "There are so many sites in this country, you can dig almost anywhere and you will find antiquities."

John and Sarita were struck by the simple beauty and symbolism of pendants made from the lowly "widow's mite" that dates back to the time of Christ. They asked the Palestinian Christians they met in Bethlehem to find ancient Roman mites to create pendants for Sonlight customers.

You know the story of the mite, the small copper coin mentioned at the start of Luke 21:

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

Since that day in the temple in Jerusalem, the mite has been a reminder that God sees the sacrificial giving done in his name, that God does not despise the small gifts of those who love him.

As you daily use your time and talents; as you seek to raise the next generation, often sacrificially giving up your own preferences – as you labor without recognition, Sarita's prayer is that this pendant will remind you that the sacrifices you make are precious in God's sight, that He sees you and knows you, that raising the next generation is worth it.

These authentic coins from two millennia ago come surrounded by a silver pendant.

Each 2,000-year-old coin is unique, so yours will look slightly different from what you see in the photo.

Chain not included.