for baptism by Jehovah’s witnesses during the period of just one year. All of them are persons who have studied the Bible, know what it teaches and do not hold back from making public declaration of their faith. (Rom. 10:9, 10) They earnestly applied themselves in order to qualify for baptism because they highly esteem a good relationship with God. Do you, too, have such appreciation? Grand blessings, both now and in the future, are in store for those who do.

Appreciating the Things of God

1, 2. In the temple at Jerusalem, to what fine example of appreciation did Jesus direct the attention of his disciples?

ONE day when Jesus was in the temple at Jerusalem he pointed out to his disciples a fine example of appreciation for the things of God. In the hearing of the people Jesus had just warned his disciples about ‘the doctors of the law who love to walk up and down in long robes, and have a great liking for respectful greetings in the street, the chief seats in the synagogues, and places of honor at feasts.’ These lacked genuine respect for God’s house of worship. Instead, they sought to exploit it for their own benefit, drawing attention to themselves. There in the temple Jesus observed rich people dropping their gifts into the treasury chests. He also saw a certain needy widow drop two small coins of very little value in there, and he drew the attention of his disciples to what was taking place, saying: “I tell you truthfully, This widow, although poor, dropped in more than they all did. 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.”​—Luke 20:45-47; 21:1-4.

² How interesting that Jesus would say that this woman who dropped in two small coins of very little value “dropped in more than they all did”! Jesus knew that this woman appreciated the temple. She knew that the temple had to be cared for and she made her contribution toward its upkeep. ‘She, with less than enough, gave all she had to live on.’ (New English Bible) What was there about this temple that caused this needy widow to display such appreciation?

3. What was there about the temple for that widow to appreciate?

³ It was to this place that Jews from all the territory of Israel would come at least three times a year for special festivals in connection with true worship. It was here that this widow could bring her sacrifices and ask the priests to offer them to Jehovah for the forgiveness of her sins and in expression of her thankfulness. It was here that she could hear the Word of God read and explained. It was here that she could have her questions answered concerning Jehovah and how his Law affected her life. Here she could