Ki Tisa means “when you take,” referring to the census that God commanded Moses to take at the beginning of this portion.  When taking a census, the Jewish people were not counted directly, but rather indirectly by using items.  In this case, each person was to contribute a half-shekel coin which was donated for the construction of the Tabernacle, and which served as an atonement offering for the sin of the Golden Calf.  Once collected, these half-shekel coins were used as a means to count the people indirectly.

When it came to this half-shekel contribution, wealthy and poor alike were to donate the exact same amount—no more, no less.  Each contribution was equal in its value and importance, and, when brought together collectively, made a whole.  No one was “more” and no one was “less.”

From this we learn the important lesson that each of us has our own individual value, and each individual is equally valued in God’s eyes.  Everyone has a chance to count, every person matters, everyone is important.  We must recognize the equal value of each individual, and that each individual’s contribution has value.  Also, remember that your own contribution is as equally important as everyone else’s.  The objective is to not be intimidated by what you have or by what you don’t have.