Now Jesus sat
opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And
many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two
mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to
them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than
all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their
abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole
livelihood.” (Mark 12:41-44 NKJ)
opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And
many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two
mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to
them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than
all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their
abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole
livelihood.” (Mark 12:41-44 NKJ)
When Jesus and his
disciples entered Jerusalem, they immediately went to the Temple. Perhaps there
was a worship ritual involved, but Jesus had a different motive than the
disciples. He entered the Temple as the Prophet, High Priest and King. They
entered as awestruck tourists.
disciples entered Jerusalem, they immediately went to the Temple. Perhaps there
was a worship ritual involved, but Jesus had a different motive than the
disciples. He entered the Temple as the Prophet, High Priest and King. They
entered as awestruck tourists.
Lost in amazed
wonder, they stumbled after the Lord until he stopped in front of the treasury.
It is interesting how our financial stewardship gives so much evidence about
us. Though Scripture doesn’t say it, we may properly conclude that Jesus went
to the treasury specifically to give an offering, but when he arrived the lines
were long and so he waited and watched with a discerning eye.
wonder, they stumbled after the Lord until he stopped in front of the treasury.
It is interesting how our financial stewardship gives so much evidence about
us. Though Scripture doesn’t say it, we may properly conclude that Jesus went
to the treasury specifically to give an offering, but when he arrived the lines
were long and so he waited and watched with a discerning eye.
Affluent pilgrims
put in much and less affluent pilgrims put in less. Now this is the proper
expectation of anyone who gives to the Lord’s work. Although we all possess the
same responsibility for giving, those with more have a greater ability and
those with less have a lesser ability. Financial stewardship, however, is not
about ability but motive and purpose. And Jesus discerned this as he watched
the worshippers around him practice stewardship in the house of God, including
a poor widow.
put in much and less affluent pilgrims put in less. Now this is the proper
expectation of anyone who gives to the Lord’s work. Although we all possess the
same responsibility for giving, those with more have a greater ability and
those with less have a lesser ability. Financial stewardship, however, is not
about ability but motive and purpose. And Jesus discerned this as he watched
the worshippers around him practice stewardship in the house of God, including
a poor widow.
This poor widow’s
story is a microcosm of God’s story at Calvary a few days later. The more
affluent worshippers around her gave from duty and habit and what they could
afford. The widow, however gave from her love of God and the desire for
relationship with God.
story is a microcosm of God’s story at Calvary a few days later. The more
affluent worshippers around her gave from duty and habit and what they could
afford. The widow, however gave from her love of God and the desire for
relationship with God.
And that is the
spirit of Calvary. God made his sacrifice out of his love for the world. He
gave his son, as the sacrificial lamb, out of his desire for relationship with
his creation. Just as the widow gave “all that she had” (i.e., her
best), God gave all that he valued (his best).
spirit of Calvary. God made his sacrifice out of his love for the world. He
gave his son, as the sacrificial lamb, out of his desire for relationship with
his creation. Just as the widow gave “all that she had” (i.e., her
best), God gave all that he valued (his best).
Dear Father, thank
you for giving everything so that we might have relationship with you. Enable
us to withhold nothing from you. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for giving everything so that we might have relationship with you. Enable
us to withhold nothing from you. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Christ gave
everything,
everything,