the "widow's mite" in the Bible (Luke 21:1-4)...is this an example of
good giving or bad misguided giving? Is the widow an example for all
to follow or is she an example of a poor soul being exploited by the
"teachers of the law" who "devour widow's houses"

Hello gman~

Traditionally speaking, this story from the Gospel of Luke is taken in
a straight forward manner: Jesus praises the widow for giving. She did
not have much, but she gave what she could. This is a far greater gift
that giving a larger sum when you have a great deal more. Or, as one
website puts it: "The question should not be, 'How much can I spare?'
but rather, 'How much can I sacrifice?' Not 'How much can I give?'
but, 'How much can I give up?'" ("Stewardship," Frontline Ministries:
http://www.frontlinemin.org/stewardship.asp )

However, there are some who try to look at the story in a more
complicated manner. For additional viewpoints, please see "Widow's
Mite" at Visions of Giving:
http://www.visionsofgiving.org/widowsmite.htm  This extensive article
offers many ways of looking at the story, with strong leanings away
from the traditional viewpoint.

Kind regards,
Kriswrite

RESEARCH STRATEGY:
widow's mite
widow's mite Luke 21:1-4
Luke 21:1-4
Lk 21:1-4

IT IS A GOOD EXAMPLE. Here is the same scripture from the New World
translation; 21 Now as he looked up he saw the rich dropping their
gifts into the treasury chests. 2 Then he saw a certain needy widow
drop two small coins of very little value there, 3 and he said: ?I
tell YOU truthfully, This widow, although poor, dropped in more than
they all did. 4 For all these dropped in gifts out of their surplus,
but this [woman] out of her want dropped in all the means of living
she had.?
The old fashioned term ' mite' meaning small, can be a bit
mis-leading. Two small coins is much clearer. In the context of the
time, the woman was contributing to the upkeep of Almighty God's
temple. God himself is very well aware of this and regardless of
whether the religious leaders used the donations wisely or not, God,
who owns the whole world anyway, can give sustenance or wealth to
whoever he chooses. From the womans's point of view, she was giving
her coins direct to God as a form of thanks. She was not concerned
whether they were used wisely or not. She had faith that although they
might have been her very last coins, God in his wisdom would look
after her for her needs. It is a matter of faith in God.