24.181 | PUTTING IN MORE | Mark 12:41-44 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Text: Mark 12:41-44 (ESV)

41 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."

PUTTING IN MORE

Jesus and Hs disciples was in the area of the temple where the offerings are collected. This is also called the Court of Women because women are not allowed to enter any further into the temple complex. That Jesus is "opposite" the treasury suggests He may be sitting under the east portico, not far from the Beautiful Gate which looks out over the Mount of Olives, which is His next destination (Mark 13:1–3).

There is a chest where she has put the coins into. It is likely one of six dedicated chests to freewill offerings. That means she has absolutely no obligation to donate at all. It's interesting to note that Jesus honors her offering of her only two copper coins and does not try to stop her. We don't know her situation. We know that if we trust God, He will add to the food and clothing we need, but He will not necessarily keep us from starving (Mat 6:33). Jesus has made it very clear that children are to care for their aging parents (Mark 7:9–13), but we don't know if this woman has family.

Jesus has exposed that the temple complex is corrupt (Mark 11:15–19). But, the woman is not giving to the rich priests and greedy city elders. She's giving to God and His temple. She trusts God to take care of her. She doesn't offer some of the abundant resources she owns but she offers her whole self. This is something the rich young ruler was unable to do (Mark 10:17–22). It is this heart that Jesus says is essential to receive eternal life (Mark 8:34–38). She gives not out of portion but of proportion.

Jesus commends that the widow has given "more." He isn't necessarily referring to the percentage of her assets, although that's part of it. It's the attitude with which she gives. This attitude is also seen in the chief tax collector Zacchaeus who, when shown encouragement by Jesus. He joyfully accepts Him and proves it by promptly giving half his goods to the poor and recompensing his victims fourfold (see Luke 19:1–10). No doubt, such generosity doesn't place Zacchaeus in the same impoverished tax-bracket as the widow, but his attitude is the same. In contrast, Ananias and Sapphira who donate money to the church, but do so only to gain recognition (Acts 5:1–11).

IIn our times today, there is no standard for how much we should give or what percentage of our wealth we should donate. Like Zacchaeus, we should give as much as we feel God is leading us (Luke 19:1–10) and we should give joyfully (2 Cor 9:7). Most importantly, we should recognize that we are giving to God. If we give so that others can see us and praise our generosity, our desires are for worldly status and not devotion to God (Matthew 6:1–4).

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