mark 12:41-43
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Mark 12:41-43
“The Widow’s Mite”
Today our lesson deals with Mark 12:41-43, The account usually known
as, “The Widow’s Mite.” Read the Text.
The Coin• According to the Expositor’s
Bible Commentary Vol. 8,(Zondervan) the value of the coin was 1/64 of a common day laborer’s wage. The Greek word was “lepton” meaning,
• “A tiny thing.”
The Coin• The English word for the
same concept---mite.
The Coin• As you can see, the monetary
value of the coin was exceedingly small in comparison to the large donations of the rich.
Widow’s Mite:
This is a scanned picture of a widow’s mite.
Pay To The Order Of …….
2121
$ ________
_______________________________________ Dollars
For: ______________
John Doe2121 Walnut LaneAnywhere, USA 55512
Date: _________
The rich in this story were giving large amounts
They are not condemned for doing so. In other places Jesus condemned showy religion—doing things to receive the praise of men.
In this case as we will see, there is condemnation of
those who take advantage of the widows. There is no condemnation associated
with the giving here.
Of whom much is given, much is required. Those
who have the ability should support the work of the
church generously.
To put it in today’s imagery, the rich were putting in
huge cheques…..
Two Pennies
…….while the widow only put in two pennies.
The Temple
• The temple was a magnificent structure. I must have taken a lot of money to keep up.
• According to Barclay, there were 13 trumpet shaped coffers in the courtyard between the court of the Gentiles and the court of the Women. This was derived from the old testament practice where cedar boxes had a hole drilled in the top to collect the offerings.
Observing the Giving of Others.
• Filing past the collection Plate
• Jesus observes the giving of
the people When the widow
puts in her coins, Jesus calls
to the disciples to make sure
they witness this event.
• We are not supposed to be
showing in our giving.
However, it is impossible to
not know something about
other’s giving.
• In the old days, people used
to march past the collection
plate and put in their collection
Several of you in the audience
are nodding assent to this
practice.
• While we are not to flaunt
our giving, it is impossible to
keep it completely unknown.
Some churches have volunteers
who count the contribution.
Occasionally we just “find out”
about a generous or stingy
contribution.
• Those who pass the
collection plate cannot help
but notice the actions of
others. My three sons have all
at times asked me innocently,
“Dad, Why does so and so not
give anything to the
• church?”
• I would answer, perhaps
they are having some
problems. Maybe they will
change in the future. It is hard
for them to understand.
Sometimes it is hard for me to
understand.
• I have witnessed some very generous acts of giving. They just appear—gifts of money, sacrifice and commitment. Sometimes they are small acts that represent generosity of heart and spirit.
• To sum up, the knowledge of our giving—intentionally or otherwise--can be a positive or negative influence.
The Condemnation of the Pharisees
• Before: Mark 12:38-40• “Big Hog at the Trough”
• After: Mark 13:1-2 • Warnings to the
establishment!
• You might be surprised by a strange turn
in this sermon. When we preach on the
widow’s mite, we usually have unreserved
praise for the widow’s contribution. This
is appropriate, but there is also a little
more going on here.
• In the context, before and after, there is
condemnation of the Pharisees for their
greed and announcement that the temple
will be torn down. This passage should
not be used to “shake down”, those who
are of limited means in order for the
establishment to thrive.
• Immediately before our passage
Jesus says, Mark 12:38 (NIV) “Watch out
for the teachers of the law. They like to
walk around in flowing robes and be
greeted in the marketplaces, 39 and have
the most important seats in the
synagogues and the places of
honour at banquets.
• 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a
show make lengthy prayers. Such men
will be punished most severely.” There is
clear condemnation for those who would
take advantage those who are in need.
• In the society of Bible times,
widows were extremely vulnerable. Upon
the death of the husband, property went
to the oldest son. Of course the son was
supposed to take care of his mother
(Remember the Ten Commandments:
“Honor thy father and mother.”) But it did
not always happen.
• The teacher of the law was not supposed
to receive any salary for his teaching. He
had a second occupation. But he could
accept gifts—and they courted the rich
and widows in order to receive those
gifts.
• Sometimes, they would insist that the
widows let them take care of their own
estates—for their own good of course.
Then they would plunder those estates.
• I heard a good story recently. A man
came into a nice city church came up
to the secretaries’ desk and
announced loudly and crudely, “ I
want to talk to the head hog at the
trough!”
• The secretary said, “Sir! When
people come into this church, they usually
show a little more respect for the minister
than that. I think you could speak a little more
respectfully.” The man said, “Well, I just came
into some money and I was thinking about
donating $10,000 to the building fund.” “I’ll
get the big pig for you,” said the secretary.
• • When we stand to benefit, there is a clear
temptation involved.• Equally troubling is the prediction in
Mark 13: The temple will be destroyed. This was near heresy in Jesus’ day.
• It did not help his popularity. However, it
serves as a warning to us today. God’s
glory does not lie in elaborate buildings,
ornate structures, or multi-million dollar
facilities.
• God’s glory is found in the hearts of His people—in acts of devotion as witnessed here. Yes: God uses great facilities in His service and to His glory. Yes: it takes sacrificial giving to accomplish these things. But we must be ware that we do not trust in them but in God.
• •• This should be a clear warning to
anyone who receives money from the preaching of the gospel. We are not to be dishonest or greedy in any way.
• True strength does not lie in buildings or
money or status, it relies on trust in God.
We must not be in religion for pride or
show.
The Challenge To “Clergy”
• Leadership: (people paid by the church.)
• Consecration--not Cash.• Never be in this for money or
status only service.• The real lesson:
Don’t be self-serving!
• Here is the challenge to those
supported by others. Go for
consecration--not cash. Never
consider ministry for money or
status—only for service.
• This lesson is not limited to
those who are paid by others. The
real lesson is not to be self-
serving. Before we are too hard
on the hard working preacher, let
us consider what percentage of
our own income that we keep for
ourselves.
• If we live a life of greed and do
not support the work of the Lord,
we are equally guilty of robbing
God.
• Don’t begrudge the preacher his
salary as you drive around in a
fancy car and go to a luxurious
home. If so, you’re guilty of being
self-serving as well.
The Commendation of the Widow
• “They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything”
• A life of trust.• A life of sacrifice.• A life of service.
• This is not the only lesson,
however. History has been
correct to see the wonderful trust
and generosity of the widow. She
is a marvelous example of faith
and self-sacrifice.
• This widow gives all. In doing
so, she casts her dependence
upon God. She now must depend
upon God.
• I do not think that the main
lesson is that she gave
generously—but that she is
showing absolute dependence
on God. Her gift is contrasted
with the rich people.
• They gave generously, but had a
great deal left over. She has given
all and in doing so must (and
chooses to) rely on God. She not
only gives—she gives sacrificially.
• Even when I try to be generous
with God—I am inspired by this
woman who gives all. So many
times, we are giving such a small
amount to God. But I an not
interested in limiting this to
money.
• We serve God when we get
out of our comfort zone. This
widow demolished hers. A man in
our congregation who had limited
education returned to the church
in his later years. He had never
fell very secure in his abilities.
• He had a strong desire to serve
the Lord. He wanted to lead
public pray—but he was extremely
nervous. I counseled him to write
out the prayer verbatim—
something that most people do
not do in our church.
• I can still see his hands shake as
he unfolded that paper, stood
before the people, and read the
prayer. He broke out of his
comfort zone in sacrificial living
and grew a great deal in the
process.
• I read recently of the death
of the former CEO who died last
year. He would “adopt” students
from his church and take them to
his favorite restaurant. As a busy
person, he gave something very
precious to him—his time.
• We imitate the widow’s mite when
we give sacrificially of our money,
time, energy, and efforts—our
selves.
To Christians: A Challenge to Commitment
• Sacrificial Giving.• The Joy of Giving.• Trust in God.
• To sum up this lesson, Christians
are challenged to a life of
sacrificial giving. In doing so we
learn what many people never
realize—the joy of giving.
• But the greatest lesson of all we
need to learn—we must learn to
trust in God—for everything.
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