It's been said that the cost to enter God's kingdom is the same for all. No matter what you have, it will cost you everything. It's a lot, but everyone can afford it.

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus observes well-off worshippers placing their donations in the treasury. When a poor widow drops a few pennies into the collection plate, he tells his followers "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood." The rest may have given a lot, but only the poor widow gave everything.

I wouldn't say that I have "surplus wealth," but neither would I call myself poor. And I guard my pennies pretty closely, not to mention my dollars, tens and twenties. But while it is comforting to know that the kingdom of God is accessible to all regardless of position, power or wealth, the idea of giving all that I have - materially, emotionally and spiritually - is a daunting one.

The widow, I imagine, is a little more free with her money because she is accustomed to living with very little of it. Those of us who have more financial security are often more afraid to lose it. Our sense of what we need becomes distorted. And our sense of what we can spare grows smaller and smaller.

"Beware of the scribes," says Jesus, "who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets." Jesus doesn't seem very interested in part-time believers, and even less interested in those who use religion as a status symbol. In praising a poor, desperate widow and criticizing the wealthy and even generous religious elite, he is turning the accepted social order upside down.

This might be a surprising message to those who see Christianity as a political interest group more than a spiritual journey. In our current environment, faith is often used as a tool for social and legislative change, and Jesus' message of compassion, generosity and spiritual commitment can be hard to find.

In the end, whether we donate two pennies or $2 million to our local congregation has little bearing on our status in God's eyes. God loves all of us, of course, and we are evaluated when we give by what's going in our hearts, not just our wallets.

And while it may not be easy for any of us to give all that we have and all that we are in our quest to follow Jesus, we can certainly avoid self-righteousness masked as piety. Jesus calls us to give to the needy, and to give generously. And he calls us to follow him with all of our might.

Neither is easy to do, and neither is something you can do once and be done. Both are lifelong journeys of discipleship that require ongoing self-reflection and humility. At least, though, we know that God's kingdom is something that we all can afford.

Bill Peatman writes from Napa. He may be reached at bptidings@yahoo.com.