About a week before I left the states for Ukraine this year, I asked a friend, “Have you been keeping up on the news? What is the feeling you get regarding how much America is supporting Ukraine’s war effort as opposed to how much other countries are helping Ukraine.” He replied that it seemed like the States are doing more than anybody and maybe everybody else combined. “I mean, those European countries really need to step up,” he said.
I had good news for my friend. Dollar for dollar, the Europeans are already doing more for Ukraine than the Americans are doing. Let’s take a look at the following chart graphic from the Center for Strategic and International Studies:
It should be no surprise that before April, the United States was only out-given in terms of dollar value by the European Union. The tiny little country of Estonia, one of the three Baltic states on Russia’s northwest border, is listed in eighteenth place behind the Czech Republic and before Lithuania. There is no doubt that the U.S. government has been very generous and Ukraine is very grateful for all the help they have been receiving, which has saved Ukrainian lives and stopped or slowed the advancement of Russia due to its overwhelming numbers.
In terms of military supplies and equipment, America is hands down the biggest supporter of Ukraine in terms of sheer volume. But what would happen if we measured how much was given by a different measure… like, for example, the Widow’s Mite Index. You read that right, and I did not make this up… well, not the concept anyway. Here is where it started:,
Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
Luke 21:1-4 ESV
Jesus considered the greatness of one’s giving in terms of percentages and the amount to which one is left with when all is said and done. A wise man once said,
“The Widow’s Mite Index measures the size of the sacrifice, not the size of the offering!”
Perhaps on a global scale, the widow’s mite might be represented in terms of GDP. Who on the world stage is giving the most as a percentage of their GDP? This next graphic from the same group, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, uncovers who scores highest on the Widow’s Mite Index:
In this graph, the country who was in eighteenth place by sheer volume with a population of less the 1.4 million, Estonia, moves into first place according to the Widow’s Mite Index.
“The Big Switcheroo!”
Remarkably, the country that was in second place in terms of overall giving to Ukraine and number one in their supply of military equipment (referring to the U.S.A.) moves all the way down to the eighteenth position just behind Belgium and ahead of the neutral country of Switzerland. Kudos to America for its generosity. Kudos to Estonia for its sacrifice.
The Take-away
President Biden and Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas do the ol’ switcheroo.
For the U.S. to be number one in the Widow’s Mite Index of helping Ukraine, we would have to multiply our giving to Ukraine several times over.
Here are some things we can learn from all this information:
Let’s not believe everything we hear on our favorite television programs and from lying commentators. Read more. Watch less.
Whenever we find ourselves watching or reading news, let’s ask ourselves a few questions:
First… Is this building me up in Christ? Is it edifying? Am I better off knowing what has been reported? How can I verify what I am watching is true?
Secondly… Does this report stand up to the instruction of Philippians 4:8? Ask ourselves if what we are watching is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy?
Rejoice and give thanks! Be happy that America is not the only country helping Ukraine. Obey the instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. “Rejoice…, Pray…, Give thanks…”
Let’s turn our eyes off of this world and turn them fully on to Jesus.
Bonus conclusion: When we hear a report that puts others in a disparaging light, let’s go to the original source. For example: “Europe is hardly doing anything for Ukraine!” This is certainly disparaging, so let us look at the webpage of Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find out what Estonia is doing to help:
” Estonia was one of the first countries to provide Ukraine with defence [sic] assistance even before the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war on 24 February 2022, sending Javelin anti-tank missile systems that arrived in Ukraine on 22 February.
Estonia has provided military assistance to Ukraine worth nearly €500 million, or more than 1.4% of our GDP. Previous donations have included missiles for the Javelin anti-tank missile system, howitzers, anti-tank mines, anti-tank grenade launchers, mortars, vehicles, communications equipment, medical supplies, personal protective equipment (helmets, etc.) and dry food packages. In cooperation with Germany, Estonia has donated two field hospitals and medical supplies worth nearly €15 million to Ukraine. Estonia is donating a third field hospital to Ukraine in cooperation with the Netherlands and Norway, which provided €7.8 million in support for the project.
In addition to a large quantity of Javelin anti-tank mines, Estonia’s newest aid package also includes machine guns, ammunition for light weaponry, various vehicles and vessels, as well as diving equipment.“
Eric Yodis 
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