Trusting The LORD With All You Have!

Imagine standing on the edge of Niagara Falls, the roar of the water deafening and the mist rising up around you. It's the late 1800s, and the air is filled with excitement and anticipation. The crowd around you is buzzing because today, Charles Blondin, the famous tightrope walker, is going to attempt another daring feat.

Blondin has already crossed the falls many times, each performance more daring than the last. Today, he plans to push a wheelbarrow across the tightrope. As he steps onto the rope, balancing the wheelbarrow, the crowd holds its breath. Step by step, he makes his way across, the wheelbarrow wobbling precariously. But Blondin is confident, and soon he reaches the other side, greeted by the cheers and applause of the amazed onlookers.

Then, Blondin turns to the crowd and asks a simple question: “Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?” The crowd, still buzzing from the spectacle they just witnessed, shouts back, “Yes, we believe!”

Blondin smiles and then asks, “Who will get into the wheelbarrow?”

Silence falls over the crowd. The same people who were so quick to cheer and express their belief are now hesitant. No one steps forward. They believed in Blondin’s abilities, but when it came to trusting him with their lives, their faith faltered.

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This story gives us a powerful image of the difference between saying we trust and actually trusting.

The crowd believed Blondin could push someone across the tightrope, but when asked to put their lives in his hands, their belief was put to the test.

In our Christian life, we face similar moments. We often profess our trust in God’s power and goodness, but when asked to step out in faith and trust Him completely, we may hesitate.

It’s one thing to say we trust God; it’s another to act on that trust, to get into the wheelbarrow, so to speak.

Today we will see, in the Scriptures a story of radical faith in a God who ALWAYS provides. This true account will convict you. It will challenge you.

But when you truly understand who our God is you will sense your trust in him grow beyond what you could ever imagine!

The biggest challenge for Christians is in the area of giving money to God’s church…

Main Idea: You Will Never Give All You Have If All You Have Is God!

It is impossible to give all you have if you belong to the God who has all things at His disposal!

True trust in the Lord isn’t just about words; it’s about action. It’s about putting our faith into practice, surrendering everything we have to Him, and believing that He will provide and care for us.

Today’s account is found in Mark 12:41-42 and it is about a widow with unreasonable faith.

1. A Dramatic Contrast (vs. 41-42)

Mark 12:41–42 (ESV)

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.

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Jesus, sitting in the courtroom of the Gentiles, which is where He conducted much of his public teaching, Jesus then entered into the court of the women.

If you look, around the court of the women, you would see 13 trumpet-shaped containers on the walls of the court that would receive the freewill offerings of the worshipers. It was included in the court of the women so that women could participate in the freewill offering just like the men.

And this is what we see in this situation unfold.

By the way, Jesus was a master at taking opportunities like these and turning them into powerful teachable moments.

Worshipers were coming up and dumping their coins into the containers.

With the metal trumpet horns at the top of the offering box, you can imagine the racket a large amount of coins would make as they rattled their way to the bottom of the container.

I certainly cannot question the motives of all those that gave their gifts, but we do know that Jesus had some very strong words for the Scribes and Pharisees and their propensity to be focused on the outward appearance of holiness rather than worship from the heart.

They loved being recognized for their religiosity.

In fact, in the previous verses Jesus condemns the Scribes because of their wickedly pretentious attitudes.

Mark 12:38–40 (ESV)

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

So, I have to believe in this situation, Jesus understood the hearts of those that gave. The hearts of those with good motives and the hearts of those with self-aggrandizing motives.

While there were many that publically gave great gifts, there was one sweet widowed woman who brought her freewill offering that day as well.

Her gift-giving just so happened to be at the same time Jesus was teaching His disciples.

Her giving was without pomp and didn’t make any noise to speak of.

Probably in all the hustle and noise of Temple life, she was innocuous and relatively irrelevant.

Not many would pay attention to such a insignificant, unimportant woman such as her - except for her God, Jesus Christ.

Jesus noticed! By the way, you may feel insignificant and unimportant. You may think you are small, innocuous, and even, sometimes irrelevant.

You may think that nobody notices you and your efforts. Well, if you are God’s child, He notices.

Jesus did notice and He noticed what she contributed…

“two small copper coins, which make a penny.”

“Greek two lepta, which make a kodrantes; a kodrantes (Latin quadrans) was a Roman copper coin worth about 1/64 of a denarius (which was a day’s wage for a laborer) - ESV Notes

Did you catch that? She didn’t contribute a days wage, she contributed 1/64th of a days wage. Hardly anything substantial.

That little amount wouldn’t make any financial impact whatsoever.

It was an insignificant, irrelevant offering that wouldn’t have been noticed except for Jesus.

An insignificant woman who gave an insignificant gift.

This may be true from our human, wicked, finite, perspective, but is it true from God’s perspective?

Again, no one would have even noticed this widow or her actions. But Jesus did! Jesus noticed and Jesus was more impressed with this woman’s gift than with all of the other gifts combined!

Why? That’s for the next point.

But, what we must learn from this story so far is simple.

“Little is much, when God is in it.”

Big doesn’t impress God because He is bigger than everything.

Large amounts of money impresses us, but it is our sacrifice that moves the heart of God.

There is a dramatic contrast between the large gifts of the many and the small gift of this woman.

As I read scripture, I am struck with these kinds of contrasts. They are all over the place.

A heap of dust becomes the human race (Genesis 2:7,21-22).

One bone from Adam becomes the mother of all humanity (Genesis 2:18-24).

An old childless man becomes the father of a nation (Genesis 15:1-6).

David and Goliath —one small stone fells a giant (1Samuel 17:41-49).

Four ordinary fishermen become the leaders of the church (Matthew 4:18-22).

A mustard seed grows to the Kingdom of God (Matthew 13:31-32, 17:20).

Five loaves and two fishes feed 5000 (Matthew 14:15-21).

A baby in a manger grows to the redeemer of humanity(Luke 2:8-18).

God delights in confounding the wisdom of the wise to show his power

1 Corinthians 1:18–21 (ESV)

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

The word of God is one giant contrast to the world in which we live.

My wife and I happily, cheerfully give to the ministry of this church because we believe in her mission.

We see her vision and we believe our God wants us to invest in it. And it is an investment.

The world says to hoard as much as you can for yourself because you are your own security.

God says something entirely different - invest in eternal things…

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” - Jim Elliot

Luke 12:13–21 (ESV)

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

The widow gave very little, but she was so very rich toward God. She knew in her heart that she could not out give the providential, abundant hand of God.

Are you rich toward God?

Review - You Will Never Give All You Have If All You Have Is God!

A Dramatic Contrast

2. A Stunning Revelation (vs. 43-44)

Mark 12:43–44 (ESV)

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.”

In verses 41 and 42 we saw that largess and generosity has little to do with amount given.

In verses 43 and 44 we see that generosity has much to do with the heart that gives.

Do you see Jesus’ stunning words? “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in MORE than ALL those who are contributing to the offering box.”

Wow - He cannot be speaking about the literal amount. The others gave well and above the pittance that the poor widow gave.

He must be talking about something different. He must be speaking about the amount from his omniscient perspective.

Jesus understood this woman’s situation as well as the situation of the others that were giving that day. He knew their resources. He knew what they had and what they didn’t have.

And, according to the text, the widow gave all she had to live on. She gave it all.

The others gave out of their abundance. They gave out of their reserve. They took it from their savings account, but it didn’t have any effect on their living.

Their safety net was secure and they gave from safety.

Her safety net went into the coffers.

She was a widow - she didn’t have a husband to care for her financially. And in those days a woman without a husband lived a challenging life financially.

This is why Paul, in 1 Timothy, makes a big deal out of the church watching over and caring for the widows among them.

And this poor widow had so much faith that she gave out of her poverty.

Now I want you to think about yet another contrast.

They gave out of their abundance.

She gave out of her poverty.

I’m not sure about everyone’s financial status here this morning, but I am willing to bet that we all have some cushion.

The poorest American has more resources available to them than the majority of the world.

I’m not naive. I’ve worked in a mercy ministry and I know the resources that are available in communities around our country. Especially in our community.

I’ve worked with poverty stricken people. It is a difficult life. But we live in a community that even the poorest can have food, clothing, and shelter.

But this woman gave away all of her resources…

She had faith that the Lord would take care of her as she entrusted the last of her financial resources to him.

Now, let me ask you a question. Who had more faith? The ones giving out of their abundance or the widow giving out of her poverty?

Obviously she did.

It is really easy to say that we have faith. It is another thing altogether to put action to our faith.

She did just that. She certainly had faith in God, but her faith was so strong, her belief in her God was so deep that she gave everything she had.

Her faith led to trust and her trust led to her action of sacrificial giving.

Angie and I have given gladly to the Lord and His church over the years of our marriage. And I strongly recommend you do that as well. It is a great privilege to give to God’s work.

But I have not given like the poor widow gave. She gave everything and trusted that God would provide her next meal.

I have never given like that - And this woman, who really walked on the face of this earth. Who was seen by Jesus himself, did. She gave everything.

We don’t know what happened to her.

I have to believe the Lord cared for her and took care of her needs just like He does for us, our wants too!

But I’ll tell you what I do know - He is caring for her now. Her faith has become sight and she is alive and not wanting for anything.

When she gave of her poverty that day, she was giving to the God of all resources - eternal resources.

And now the investment she made two thousand years ago is paying ongoing, inexhaustible, eternal dividends.

To be clear, I am not suggesting that her act of giving saved her eternal soul. Not at all.

The Bible is clear…

Titus 3:5–6 (ESV)

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

But I will tell you this, her act of fearless faith was a clear reflection of the saving faith I believe she possessed.

Saved people are giving people. Why?

Because, 5 reasons…

They recognize that everything they have is from God anyway - What ability, talent, skill, resource do you have that originated with you? Nothing. It is all from your Creator. You LITERALLY owe your life, your EXISTENCE to God.

They understand that it is God’s will that they give back to Him -

2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV)

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

They see that giving reflects the character of God - God’s ultimate act of giving—sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to save humanity—sets the example for Christians to follow. As believers, giving is a way to reflect God's generous nature and His love for us. By giving, Christians emulate God's sacrificial love and generosity, demonstrating His character to the world.

They know that giving to the Lord releases the grip materialism can have on the hearts of believers -

They revel in the fact that giving advances the kingdom of God - Giving supports the work of the church and various ministries, enabling the spread of the gospel and the advancement of God's kingdom. Financial contributions help fund evangelism, missions, and outreach programs that bring people to Christ and meet the needs of the community and the world.

Cheerful giving, motivated by love and obedience to God, ensures that the work of the church prospers and grows.

Many have heard this story of the widow and the two mites. But have you ever ruminated on the reality that she gave everything she had and nobody knew!

She didn’t declare as she put those coins in the offering box, “Hey everyone, look at what I am doing! I’m giving my last two coins.”

Nope, she, by faith made that decision before the Lord. And only the Lord knew what was going on. Only the LORD knew her tremendous act of faith.

Jesus talks about the value of this when giving to those in need…

Matthew 6:1–4 (ESV)

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The point is we ought not exult self in our giving, but be used as a tool in our Lords hands to minister to the needs of the people God puts in our path.

I think the stunning reality of this event is how unremarkable it is publically and yet how amazing it is privately.

This is faith in God at it’s best.

I do not know of many, myself included, who have given everything they had to live on.

This woman’s faith is a breathtaking inspiration.

She understood something few of us do, this life is not our final destination.

This life is transitory. It is leading in one direction or another.

Many have the idea that life is about the accumulation of stuff.

Randy Alcorn in his book, The Treasure Principle talks about this issue…

“Ever seen that bumper sticker “He who dies with the most toys wins”? Millions of people act as if it were true. The more accurate saying is “He who dies with the most toys still dies—and never takes his toys with him.” When we die after devoting our lives to acquiring things, we don’t win—we lose. We move into eternity, but our toys stay behind, filling junkyards. The bumper sticker couldn’t be more wrong.” ― Randy Alcorn

This sweet little helpless widow was a powerhouse of faith. Not faith in herself or in her stuff or even her future, but in her All-powerful, All-knowing, Everywhere present God who cares for the sparrow and for His children.

She knew that if she gave everything she had to him, there was no better no safer place for her investment.

“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess. - MARTIN LUTHER” ― Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle, Revised and Updated: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving

All I want you to do right now is ask yourself these questions.

Who owns your stuff? Is it yours or is it God’s?

If it is God’s, then how much of it should be used for you and how much of it should be used for His work and purposes?

“A steward manages assets for the owner’s benefit. The steward carries no sense of entitlement to the assets he manages. It’s his job to find out what the owner wants done with his assets, then carry out his will.” ― Randy Alcorn

Is this you? Are you God’s steward carrying out God’s will with the resources He has called you to manage?

Review - You Will Never Give All You Have If All You Have Is God!

A Dramatic Contrast

A Stunning Revelation

3. A Faith-Filled Challenge (vs. 44)

Mark 12:44 (ESV)

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.”

I think we are all in awe of this widow’s faith. I have not exercised this level of faith in my walk with the Lord.

But I wonder if we could all, as a church grow in our faith in the area of giving?

Certainly many of us participated in our Rise Up And Build campaign and gave sacrificially to see our building come to fruition.

God used His people, both within this body and outside this body to raise the necessary capital to help us build our first building.

It took awhile - 1986 until 2022.

But God did it because people invested in something greater than themselves.

But what if God wants us now to move in a way that will move the gospel forth intentionally “Across the street and around the world.”

We are maturing as a church. This is why I am preaching through 1 Timothy - to ensure that we are becoming as a church what God clearly lays out in his Scriptures.

Frankly, Angie and I need to walk through our budget to see how much of it is invested in us verses how much is invested in eternal endeavors.

How much can we use to invest in eternity instead of ourselves today?

R.G. LeTourneau was a highly successful Christian industrialist and inventor who dedicated his life and wealth to the service of God. LeTourneau made a commitment to give the majority of his earnings to support various Christian causes, including missionary work, education, and church projects.

LeTourneau's approach to giving stemmed from a profound personal decision to make God his business partner. Despite facing financial difficulties early in his career, he remained steadfast in his commitment to tithing and giving generously.

His business eventually thrived, allowing him to fulfill his pledge to give away 90% of his income, while he and his wife lived on the remaining 10%.

LeTourneau's life and legacy continue to inspire many in the Christian community, demonstrating the impact of sacrificial giving and the principle of stewardship in one's personal and professional life​. - http://www.giantsforgod.com/rg-letourneau/

I wonder if God might be asking you to do something like LeTourneau? Live on 10% of your income and give away 90%? Maybe?

But what if God is asking something from you that is less extreme?

What if God wants to use you to use your “extra” income to help ABC fund missional work “Across the street and around the world?”

What if we as a church identify some missional goals and then we as individuals of the church evaluate our budgets and dedicate the “extra” for those missional goals?

What if we individually promised to God in 2025 that we would take the extra money that He flows through our hands and turn it over to the Missionary work of ABC?

What if you and your family sit down before 2025 and evaluate your budget and say, “We, by faith think that God will filter an extra “$500” over the course of the year that we will gladly turn over to God through ABC so we can see ABC do a special missionary project or increase the support of our existing missionaries or take on more missionaries?

You might by faith figure it will be $500 or $5000 or $50,000? That’s between you and the Lord.

But what if we collectively made it our goal to see God work through the “extra” God will entrust to us.

And instead of spending it on Pizza and a movie, or extra clothing, or a fun vacation but invest it in the eternal pursuit of souls coming to faith in Jesus Christ here and abroad?

Do you think God would be pleased to use our step of faith? Do you think God would still care for you in the middle of your sacrifice? I do!

If the widow gave everything she had to the Lord, maybe you and I can give the extra that He filters through our hands?

I will talk with you more about how this will work in the future, but for now, I am asking you to pray and see how God might use the extra He will give you in the future for the furtherance of His precious Gospel.

Review - You Will Never Give All You Have If All You Have Is God!

A Dramatic Contrast

A Stunning Revelation

A Faith-Filled Challenge

Conclusion

What if the church of Jesus Christ as a whole and our church determined to function in the faith filled spirit of the widow in Mark 12?

I wonder how quickly Christ’s Great Commission, to go into every nation and make disciples would happen?

I wonder if the church, by lavishing the resources God has entrusted to us on ourselves, we are delaying the work God has given us to accomplish?

May we take the time to honestly assess as individual families our part in accomplishing the will of our God.

“Whatever is given to Christ is immediately touched with immortality.”― Randy Alcorn

It’s time for some of us here this morning to get into the wheelbarrow.