TEJM 7 – The Widow and Her Offering

Pastor Dr Daniel Ho, 07/08/2010
Money is a hot topic. We find Jesus discussed this a lot. The way / approach we handle money is a reflection of who we are. Jesus said where our treasure is, there lies our heart.
If we place money at our higher place, we will be consumed by the desire for more money and we may be tempted to compromise.

Mar 12:41-44  And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums.  (42)  And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.  (43)  And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.  (44)  For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

Jesus’ Observations

Many rich people threw in large amounts

Why do we give?

• Giving to impress people?

Sometimes people give money by throwing so as to draw attention with the sound made by the money dropping into the offering bag.

• Giving in obedience but out of duty? No passion!
• Giving in obedience but with reluctance? No excitement at all!

Christian giving is so different from the giving of the world. How sad it is to give unwillingly.

The poor widow put in two very small copper coins (v.42)

The widow has no support when the husband died. She gave out of the possibly smaller denomination at that time.
Jesus’ conclusion

• She gave generously. (v.43, cf 2 Cor 8:7)
• She gave sacrificially, (v.44) She gave out of all she had to live on.
• She is a woman of deep faith.  She is willing to part with everything she had, not knowing how the next meal would come. She depended on God on everything.

We must remember that at the end, the people who give are the people who are living by faith. It is a fallacy to say that the people serving God full time are to live by faith. Every Christian should live by faith. We trust God and operate by faith.

Lessons

Is our heart in giving the same as that of the poor widow?

2Co 8:2-3  for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.  (3)  For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

Is it in joy and thankfulness?

2Co 9:7  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
When anyone is no longer thankful, he is sliding down a dangerous slope.

Is it to celebrate life?

2Co 8:9  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Giving is a celebration of life. We are rich in every way, not just physically but spiritually. Because of this wholeness of life that Jesus has brought to us, we are able to celebrate life in our giving.

Is it to see it as a blessing to be able to give?

Act 20:35  In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Giving is a testimony that we are healthy and strong.

Is it to see it as a privilege to be able to share and to bless?

2Co 8:4  begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints--
France is known as a wealthy nation. The French are sophisticated. France is a spiritual desert.

Questions for discussions

1. What is Jesus trying to teach us about giving in Mark 12:41-44? Why is the widow singled out for commendation and what did you lean from her and the passage yourself?
2. What are some people’s attitudes in giving? What about yours and why do you give what you give? In what ways have you and others been blessed through your giving? Why is the principle of generosity and faith in God important in giving?