Giving from the Heart. Mark 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. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 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. “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.”
Dear Saints,
As we saw earlier in the account of the rich young ruler (10:17-27), it was generally assumed that the rich were more favored by God than other people. It was also assumed, as it often is today that the number of one’s tithes and offerings was a measure of one’s generosity and therefore by inference, approval by God.
Show (v. 41). That the large amounts the rich were giving could be seen implies that they did it to be seen. It is known that when people give publicly, they give more. It is a pity that we have a mind to impress others but not God, who sees the attitudes of the heart.
Spite (v 42). Compared to the large offerings given by the rich, the widow’s two copper coins were not worth taking note of. It is significant, though, that people could see what she gave. She was not ashamed of her meager offering, despite the fact that many may have looked down on her. There is no shame in giving little if that is all one has.
Sacrifice (v. 43-44). Jesus told his disciples that the poor widow had outdone the rich because she had given everything she had. Jesus hints at the fact that she may have had nothing to eat since she had given “all she had to live on.” The rich on the other hand would not miss what they had given. They were left with a lot more in their wallets. Someone has said that one’s giving should be judged on the basis of, not what one gives, but what one keeps. How is your giving? Do you give what you do not need, or do you sacrifice for God’s work and for the needy?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.