Out of their abundance…

And we need to take note: There are many who give as much or more than they are able. But some of us - don’t invest as we should. (I include myself in the (some of us bracket).

So as we move to 2025 please consider how you give to support the work of our church.

And our circuit.

But even as I say that - listen to Jesus warning to the disciples:

Beware of the scribes…

I’m a modern scribe.

Its my job - just as scribes in Jesus’ time were the recognized experts in Jewish law.

The people you would go to for advice on how to apply the law of the scriptures and make sure you are living right.

And they apparently dressed for the role.

…similar to Greek philosophers and teachers - long white linen robes, greeted with honour in the marketplace… and experts at praying.

Especially (I’m sure) at praying long and convoluted detailed prayers that illustrated their expertise in what they new.

Jesus had been engaging with the scribes and not all of his engagements are so negative. Just before what we read now:

Mark 12:28–30 NRSV

28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’

And then again speaking about the scribes in Mark 12:35

Mark 12:35 NRSV

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Messiah is the son of David?

But then - Jesus seems to give them a hard time, Mark 12:38 -

Mark 12:38 NRSV

38 As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,

It seems that Jesus is not critical of ALL scribes.

He actually seems to get along with some of them.

But he is critical - I think - specifically of a special kind of behaviour among scribes, those scribes who:

…like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! (Mark 12:38-39)

Jesus goes on to say what the problem with these well dressed and seemingly vain scribes did:

Mark 12:40 NRSV

40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Devour Widow’s Houses

Its quite hard to understand what is meant by this - perhaps Jesus had a specific situation in mind.

But scribes fulfilled many different roles in Israel at the time of Jesus - they were the lawyers and bureaucrats of the day. Because they could read and write they were useful administrators.

They might even serve as judges or a sort of magistrate.

And this might mean that they had the responsibility to issue judgments.

And one of the problems with Jewish law of Jesus’ time - is that it could be applied in a way that disadvantaged women - especially widows.

Widows were in a sense - at the mercy of the synagogue or the community for provision - and they had little to no standing as legal persons. They could easily be taken advantage of by scribes and bureaucrats.

And it still happens today in so many ways doesn’t it?

Those who love the trappings of power and prestige - stay there at the cost of especially the most vulnerable in our society.

Beware of the Scribes?

I started out by reminding us that our church needs your financial support - and I have to admit that as a minister I’m not one of the best ministers for fund raising.

I’m not good at that ‘spiel’.

And I think this scripture might be the reason I’m not very good at the fund raising ‘spiel’ -

I don’t want to be one of those scribes. That Jesus warns us about.

In the time of Jesus it seems that some religious leaders insisted on more than the traditional tithe - insisting on 20-30 percent of a persons income.

Insisting on - or ruling on - receiving gifts and fees more than the oppressed could afford.

Resulting in them losing their assets and independence.

And there are so many ways in which the church - and us ‘scribes’ - can manipulate - when it comes to money.

I think I need to do a bit better on that side - the part where I make you feel a bit uncomfortable and move you to support the church more generously.

But just as we - as a church - need to talk about money and tithes and offerings we need to make sure that we do it with justice and transparency.

In Matthew’s gospel - Jesus’ condemnation of the scribes is more explicit:

Matthew 23:23 NRSV

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others.

It seems that the scribes that Jesus condemned would be those who insisted on tithes / offerings and pledges without considering justice and mercy.

So - as a congregation - we encourage every member to give as much as they can - the guiding principle is a tithe. And the tradition of a tithe comes so beautifully from Jacob’s experience at Bethel:

Genesis 28:22 NRSV

22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house; and of all that you give me I will surely give one-tenth to you.”

When we give proportionally we ask that those who have a little to give - give a little - and those who have much - give much.

Opposite the Treasury

Mark 12:41 NRSV

41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.

This is such an interesting scene - it seems there was a place from where you could sit and watch those who brought their offerings…

People were bringing offerings that would be used - in a large part to do the work that needed to be done on the temple.

The temple was wonderfully adorned in Jesus day. Large parts of it even covered in Gold.

(We sometimes struggle to stop the leaks in our roof - let alone coat it in gold!)

Everyone is impressed by the big spenders.

But then a widow comes along:

Mark 12:42 NRSV

42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.

These were the lowest denominator in Jesus time. Apparently archeologists find quite a lot of them - because they’re made of bronze - and when people dropped them they don’t seem to have taken much trouble to pick them up.

The comment Jesus makes convicts us:

Mark 12:43–44 NRSV

43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Would she starve? - No

The temple kept a storehouse for the widows.

What is the lesson?

1 Kings 17:8-16

Mark 12:38-44

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