TIMELESS MITES

TIMELESS MITES
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 by Ruth Wuwong

Categories: devotional / GUEST AUTHORS / TUESDAY'S TREASURE

PLEASE WELCOME

RUTH WUWONG

TUESDAY’S TREASURE

Whenever I read the story of the widow’s mites in the Gospel of Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4, I’m inspired to contribute more to God’s kingdom. Many Christians are familiar with the tale. A poor widow donated two small copper coins—often called “mites”—to the temple treasury. Jesus commented to His disciples that this insignificant contribution was worth more than those given by the wealthy, for she gave out of her poverty all that she had to live on.

The widow’s act was not about the monetary value but the spirit with which she gave. Her contribution reflected deep trust and reliance on God, embodying the essence of true charity: giving not from excess but from the heart, even when it requires personal sacrifice.

This impactful lesson reminds me that entering retirement with limited energy and resources should not be an excuse to hinder my devotion to God and others and that I could still continue to contribute to the Kingdom of God.

The value of a gift lies not in its size

but in the selflessness and faith behind it.

While the widow’s mite teaches us about biblical times, the story of Hattie Wiatt brings this lesson to life in a more contemporary setting. In the late 1800s, Hattie May Wiatt was a young girl who lived near what is now Temple University in Philadelphia. She couldn’t attend Sunday school regularly due to the overcrowding of her small church with too many people. With a strong conviction, Hattie began saving her pennies with the hope of one day helping expand the Sunday School facilities.

Tragically, Hattie passed away at eight. After her death, her family found a small bag in her room containing 57 pennies and a note explaining her intent for the money. They gave it to Dr. Russell H. Conwell, pastor of the local Grace Baptist Church. Deeply moved by her selfless aspiration, Dr. Conwell shared Hattie’s story with his congregation.

Hattie’s 57-cent contribution sowed the seeds for an incredible transformation. The congregation rallied to raise funds. With three of Hattie’s cents auctioned off, they raised $250. The amount was then converted into pennies and auctioned off by the newly formed “Wiatt Mite Society.” What may have seemed like an inconsequential sum ultimately led to the founding of a new church, Temple University, a hospital, and other facilities.

Both the widow’s mite and Hattie Wiatt’s 57 cents teach that the most meaningful acts of kindness and generosity often originate from those who seem to have the least to spare. Indeed, true generosity is measured not by the balance of our bank accounts but by the depth of our compassion and the willingness to give, irrespective of our means. Our small actions can set in motion profound change, echoing through generations.

ABOUT RUTH WUWONG

Dr. Ruth Wuwong (PhD in biochemistry, MBA in finance) has published 120+ scientific books and papers (under her legal name) and a few Christian fiction books (Love at the Garden Tomb, The Way We Forgive, Blazing China, and Detour to Agape, under R. F. Whong). She lives in the Midwest with her husband, a retired pastor. They served together at three churches from 1987 to 2020. Her grown son works in a nearby city.

She currently runs a small biotech company (www.vidasym.com) and has raised more than twenty million US dollars during the past few years for Vidasym.

In addition to her weekly newsletter and the platform (www.ruthforchrist.com), she’s active in several writers’ groups, including ACFW, Word Weavers, Facebook, and Goodreads. Through these connections, she plans newsletter/promotion swaps with others and has writers endorse her books, write forewords, and host her on guest blogs.

MORE ABOUT ECHOES OVER STORMY SEA

Two remarkable women, separated by eras, united by unyielding resolve.

Two eras, one stormy sea. Two women navigate love and heritage across centuries. Book 1 in this dual-time odyssey series braids together a mesmerizing tale about loyalty, redemption, and transformation.

Debra Gong, a PhD student in biochemistry, eagerly counts down to her upcoming 2020 wedding in Chicago. The unexpected death of her father, a famous writer, brings her back to Hong Kong. Then, the sudden closure of borders because of the pandemic leaves her trapped and separated from her fiancé. Her father’s will requires her to complete his last, unfinished manuscript about a pirate princess to honor his memory.

In 1800, Shih Yi-Lan, a martial arts master and the fierce daughter of a pirate captain, faces the cultural expectations of matrimony. Unwilling to be confined by traditional roles, when her father demands her to cement an alliance through marriage, she devises a test for any would-be suitor: he must beat her in two out of three contests to win her hand. A mysterious contender with a pigtail unlike the other sea marauders rises to the occasion and triumphs.

As both women explore their worlds in flux, the stakes grow higher. Can Debra continue her PhD work, honor her father’s legacy, and find love and commitment? Will Yi-Lan maintain her resilience and passion amid the challenges? Their parallel journeys unfold against the backdrop of tumultuous times, connecting their fates in unexpected ways.