The Widow and the Two Mites

In The Widow and the Two Mites©, Karl E. Wagner brings to life the powerful biblical story of sacrificial giving. Set in New Testament times, this moving family drama follows a humble widow who offers everything she has at the Temple—two small coins—and the ripple effect it causes within her skeptical and struggling family.

As voices clash over responsibility, tradition, and survival, one young boy’s faith and one woman’s obedience challenge everyone to reexamine what it means to trust in God's provision.

With vivid dialogue, dual-action staging, and a message rooted in Malachi and the teachings of Jesus, this play is perfect for churches, drama teams, and audiences seeking depth, conviction, and hope.

• Cast of 6+ with flexible extras
• Easily staged in church or community settings
• Highlights themes of faith, sacrifice, and God's promises

Estimated Run Time: 15–20 minutes
Cast Size: 6 speaking roles + optional extras

Speaking Roles:

• Widow – Dignified, kind, poor but not begging
• Susanna – Widow’s daughter, responsible and weary
• Jacob – Susanna’s teenage son, curious and faithful
• Ira – Susanna’s husband, practical and hardworking
• Asa – Widow’s son, proud and impulsive
• Deborah – Asa’s wife, patient and soft-spoken

Sample Script

Scene opens in a humble home. Susanna is preparing food. Jacob enters, scrolls in hand.

Susanna:
So, let me guess. You’ve been listening to and watching Jesus again today?

Jacob:
Yes, I was. Why do you ask?

Susanna:
Because the lessons that you need to do are still not done.
Does this Jesus encourage laziness? Does He advocate disrespect?

Jacob:
No, mother, He does not. I will get to my lessons right away.
(Jacob moves to the corner and begins to pick up scrolls.)

Susanna:
Did you learn anything from this teacher today?

Jacob:
Yes, I did. A great lesson. Jesus taught in the Temple today about giving.
And it concerns someone we all know.

(Ira enters, having returned home from work.)

Ira:
What is this about a lesson in the Temple?

Susanna:
Jacob was just saying he learned a great lesson today from the teacher, Jesus.
So, go on and tell us this great lesson — and who was it we all know so well?

Jacob:
I will get to that part in a minute. Today, as the people were bringing their gifts to God,
Jesus stood off to one side and was watching. His disciples were there, as well as many others.
Many rich people came and put in great amounts of money.
Then, an old woman, a widow, came and she put in two mites!

Ira:
Two mites! Is that all? She did this in front of the whole Temple?

Susanna:
Wasn’t she embarrassed? So little — hardly worth the trouble of carrying, much less giving.

Ira:
So what did the great teacher have to say about that offering to God?
Did He set the people straight? Better yet, did He set the widow straight?

Jacob:
He said she put in more than all the rest.

Ira:
More than all the rest? More than all the rest?
Less than 1% of a day’s wages? He must be mad!

Jacob:
Jesus said that the others put in of their abundance,
but she put in of her need.
Her gift had a greater value to God.

(Asa and Deborah enter. Asa speaks over the last line.)

Asa:
Susanna! Susanna!

Susanna:
We are right here, Asa — no need to shout.

Asa:
You may think differently when I tell you what I have heard.
My neighbor, the candle maker, told me he saw Mother today at the Temple.
She created a bit of a commotion when she put in only two mites for the offering.
Two mites! Given as an offering to God!

Susanna:
Mother? Jacob, you didn’t tell me it was my mother — your grandmother — at the Temple.

Jacob:
I didn’t have a chance to. I was getting to that.

Susanna:
I can’t believe this. Not Mother.

Asa:
I understand, Susanna. I was embarrassed, too.

(Susanna jumps to her feet, visibly angered.)

Susanna:
Asa, if you were around a little more, you would understand that Mother just put into the offering everything she has left!
That was it! That was all she and Father had been able to save.
I know it is nothing — but it is all she has.

Asa:
Susanna, I didn’t know...

Susanna:
I know you didn’t know. But how will she survive now?
She has nothing to purchase food with, nothing to purchase clothing,
nothing to offer in payment for anything.

Ira:
Susanna, what could she have bought with two mites?
She couldn’t even buy a loaf of bread with that. Why so upset . . .

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