Giving it all to God

The set up.… Last weekend we examined the Lawyers question to Jesus. What is the greatest commandment. Jesus answered their question.

His question… Jesus then posed His own, who’s Son is the Christ. This was Jesus’s answer to their original question of who’s authority was Jesus doing all these things?

The answer… The answer revealed that Jesus is the Son of God the Father and He came in the authority the Father gave Him. It also highlighted their struggle for power with the Son of God, and in all reality God the Father Himself.

The Lawyer… We learned the lawyer who the Pharisee’s sent to question Jesus was one of the elite scribes. At the upper level of being a scribe He would have a lot of experience and be expected to be particularly knowledgeable.

Chosen for a reason… The lawyer’s experience and knowledge is the reason he was selected to try and trap Jesus. If anyone can do it they thought, surely the lawyer can.

Lest’s read the next passage.

Beware of the Scribes

Luke 20:45-47 45 And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 47 who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Warning to the crowds… Jesus gives a warning for everyone within earshot, Beware the scribes. Why? He gives several reasons, each of them being things that the scribes love.

Love can be a bad thing… How could loving something be bad. I love apple pie, ice cream and baseball games, are they bad because I love them. The answer is obviously no. But not all things a person holds dear in their heart reflects the character and nature of God. Sin has entered this place of the human heart through the fall of man and now our hearts desires need to be submitted to God and redeemed by His transforming work.

Lets look at his laundry list of grievances against them, these things their hearts love.

They loved long robes… The Pharisee and in particular the scribes of the day would wear longer and longer and more and more elaborate robes to signify their status and importance to everyone around them. They would also wear prayer shawls around their head and neck, so long they would trail the ground. They were very flashy and showy.

The message of fancy clothing… Ultimately what message would these wardrobes send to those around them? I am different than you. I’m more pious and holy. You’re different than me. It became barrier and clear separation between the religious and the common person.

They loved the greetings in the marketplaces… There was a custom during the time that as a high ranking Pharisee or scribe you were supposed to stand and greet them as they passed by on the street or when they entered a room. The praise and respect of men can be snare to people. Religious service for praise and respect had infiltrated the groups of the Pharisees and scribes.

They loved the best seats in the synagogues… During Jesus day Synagogues served as religious centers of the communities they were in like our modern churches currently do. They were a big part of Jewish life. The perimeter of the synagogue had benches built into the walls for people to sit. The center of the room was open and flat. The roof was supported by colonnades. The speaker would stand in the middle and address the room. Those closest to the speaker had to sit on the floor. Those at the perimeter of the building got to sit on the benches. There was a custom that those of importance got to sit on the benches along the perimeter while those of less importance were forced to sit on the floor. James talks about this in his letter later in the bible.

Jas 2:1–4.2 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

This was clearly favoritism based upon social status and wealth.

They loved the places of honor at feasts… We get some context for this when Jesus calls the Pharisees out during a meal earlier in Luke Chapter 14

Lk 14:1–3 14 One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. 2 And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?”

The Pharisees and the Lawyer’s again… We see the same groups of people present at the meal as was present at the temple to challenge Jesus, the Pharisee’s and the lawyers. It’s no wonder they are present at this meal, the house Jesus was dinning in was the house of a ruling Pharisees.

Jesus attracted those in power… The things Jesus did and said attracted those in power early on in His ministry. Jesus’s ministry was the kind of thing that got the attention of people at the highest levels. His actions and message challenged the status que. Jesus wielded influence with people, caused a commotion wherever He went and often challenged people's way of living.

Church I hope He causes a commotion where we are. I hope He wields influence with us. Church I hope He challenges our way of living.

The Lawyer’s kind of question… Do you see the Lawyers kind of question at the meal is so similar to the one they asked Him in the temple?

“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” (The house of the Pharisee ruler)

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” (The temple)

Technical questions… These are technical questions meant to trip Jesus up with the Law.

Disgraced professions… When I think of the most openly despised professions what comes to mind are those that come up in the butt of jokes the most. Politicians, Lawyer's, the IRS and clergy. How many jokes begin something like “A Politician, a Lawyer and Priest walk into a bar”… I don’t have to finish that for you’re mind to fill in the kinds of places those jokes go, most of us have heard them before.

The professions in the bible… All of these professions are represented inside the biblical narrative. The reason they are some of the most hated professions is also represented inside the biblical narrative. These groups of individuals who have authority and power which can be used for so much good are so often seen abusing it instead.

Abuse of power… Instead of the Lawyer being a leader of Gods people, He is instead guiding them in legalism and bringing no one closer to God. These are the blind guides Jesus accuses the Pharisees of being in Matthew.

Matthew 23:23–24 ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!”

At this feast in the rulers house Jesus confronts Pharisees and lawyers.

Luke 14:7–11 “Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.””

How can you serve me… The Kingdoms men build are built so that those at the top are served by those at the bottom. Selfishness and Pride in the driving force behind the kingdom of man. The focus is me, myself, I. The prideful leader asks how you can serve him.

How can I serve you… The Kingdom of God is built in such a way that those at the top serve those at the bottom. Humility is the driving force behind the kingdom of man. The focus is God and others. The humble leader asks how He can serve you.

The Servant Leadership of Jesus… Jesus built the Kingdom of God and rejected the kingdom of man. Jesus exhibited servant leadership. He led through His willingness to sacrifice and lift up others. He calls all believers to model the same kind of servant leadership. Not out in front, at the head of the table or the top of the ladder, but from behind supporting those in need.

The Catholic connection to the Pharisees and scribes… I don’t typically point out other denominations faults but in the light of today's text I think it is appropriate. Some things once you see them you cannot unsee.

I have always viewed many things the Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox church do as religiousness without true relationship to God. After studying this text I made connections that just further solidified my belief.

I believe there are good God loving people within the Catholics and Eastern Orthodox organizations who have found Him in truth but that is only because of the grace of God. I do not believe Catholic leadership in general is leading men and woman to God but teaching the traditions of man, some of them in direct conflict with the word of God and the very words of Jesus Himself.

Have you seen the way the Pope or any of the upper level Catholic clergy dresses? Long elaborate eye-catching robes.

How about their clergy, do you know what they call them? Father so and so.

Mt 23:1–12 23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

It is important to identify the doctrines of man and scam artists… Jesus was warning the crowds. Stay away from these people they will lead you astray. It's important you don’t get hoodwinked by these people. Anyone not teaching a renewed relationship to God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son will lead you to hell for their own greed and earthly satisfaction. I do not point out the Catholic or the Eastern Orthodox church to condemn them but to warn you. Be on guard to the religions of man.

A living example… Jesus then points out an example of the difference between man made religion and true worship of God happening right in front of them.

Let's look at the next passage.

The Widow’s Offering

Lk 21:1-4 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Mark also records this account along with Luke and adds some details that will deepen the narrative.

Mark 12:41–44 “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. 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.””

Jesus’s position… As Jesus rebukes the scribes for their pride and greed He is seated in such a way that He can see people as they enter the temple into the court of woman.

The court of woman… The temple courts were broken up into different restrictive areas where only certain members could go. For instance there was a court only the priests could enter. The court of woman was the place furthest inside the temple court designated for woman to be able to worship.

the offering boxes… The offering’s being made were done into very specific boxes in the temple during the time of Christ. 13 chests stood just inside the doorways of the court of woman. You were expected to place your offering in one of the 13 chests upon entry. You wouldnt be able to enter without passing one of them.

Vast sum of money… So many offerings and taxes were collected inside the temple I have heard it referred to as a kind of national bank at the time. Vast sums of money flowed through it. It is no wonder the Sadducees and other religious leaders made it the center for their religious activities.

Jesus’s observation… Jesus witnesses a firsthand example of the difference between sincere worship and worship for the sake of what others might think.

The giving of the rich… As Mark records it the rich a put in large sums of money. But Jesus was not impressed with the giving of the rich.

The giving of the widow… But Jesus was very impressed by the giving of the poor widow. So much so He immediately included her and her giving in His sermon. Not only did He include her in His sermon He called his disciples over to Him to get their attention to point out what she had done.

2 copper coins… 2 copper coins were worth about 1/32 of a denarius. If you remember from elsewhere in the bible a denarius was the average wage for a single day's labor. This was a very small amount. In fact, this was the smallest amount you were allowed to give into the offering chests. You couldn’t put in anything less.

“Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.

More than everyone else… She didn’t just put in more than somebody, which if she put in the smallest amount possible how could she have done that unless no one else put in anything? Jesus said she put in more that everybody combined.

If the two copper coins of the widow were so valuable to Jesus, and they were of such a small amount, then of how little value must all of that money the rich were pouring into the chest have been to Him?

God saw her giving… I want you to see something here. God saw her giving. Out of everyone there that day God in particular saw her giving. He paid very close attention to what she gave. Because what she gave to God was important to Him, not the monetary value of it, but in the heart of worship and love that it was given in.

God sees all your giving… Church I want you to know something. God sees all your giving to Him. All your sacrifices no matter how small are seen by Him. He hasn’t missed anyone one of them. He is pleased by the devotion of His children.

The text says she gave everything she had...

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.””

The faith involved… Do you realize the Faith involved with giving God everything you have to live on? She didn’t hold back even enough to buy her next meal.

What she was given she gave back… She gave back everything God gave her. The two tiny copper coins went back to Him.

Thousand hilltops… Scripture says that God is the owner of the cattle on a thousand hilltops. The truth church is that all we have we receive from Him.

Scribes/Widow/Woe connections… It is interesting that Jesus would use her as an example to His disciples right after publicly warning every one of the danger of the scribes. After a woman lost her husband, she would be forced to interact with a scribe to record her husband's property.

Vulnerable to the scribes.… I bet this was a time of great uncertainty and loss for the widow. How would she support herself now? Who would protect her and stand up for her in a male dominated and driven society who were supposed to be reverential and caring for the vulnerable but so often exploited them. Do you think maybe this is the moment when the scribes struck? When they “Devoured the widows houses” as Jesus put it. I can imagine the clever arguments laced with religious language to persuade the woman to turn over her assets to the money hungry scribes. Once her husband was gone she would become an easy target for manipulation.

Victimized but still giving to God… Here this woman is who probably became the target of a scribe herself after she lost her husband. Taking all that remains to her and placing it back into the hands of God.

No blame or Fear… What I don't see is a heart that blames God for her situation or that withholds from Him out of fear.

Thankful for the blessings of the past…I see only trust, faith and thankfulness to her God. Thankfulness that for everything God had ever provided. Church in spite of anything good we have ever lost, no matter how hard it was to loose, if we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that it was a blessing to have it in the first place.

The blessings she was thankful for… God I may not have my husband now, but I did then. Thank you for bringing Him into my life. God I may not be well off now but I remember all the times you have taken care of me. Thank you. Who knows what other loving things God had done in her life.

The blessing we should be thankful for no matter what we have lost… Above all those wonderful things to be thankful for church, is to be thankful for the greatest blessing a person could ever receive. Forgiveness for sin’s committed and being reunited with our Eternal Father in Heaven.

Closing

Church I see something deeper than a story about a widow that was willing to give her last earthly treasure to God. Just two small copper coins.

There is a Raemez in this story. A meaning beneath the surface level meaning.

Our Lord who sees all saw this woman’s giving. He preached a sermon to His disciple praising her donation.

Church we could get hung up on the size of the donation, the two copper coins.

What we should be hung up on though, is what it cost her to make that donation.

Church it cost her everything to make that donation. It cost her everything she had to live on.

You see church it wasn't the amount of her giving that was extraordinary, it was the sacrificial heart that she gave it in that was.

Church, this woman's heart said all that I have God is yours, because all that I am is yours.

This woman was Gods, not just her money.

Church do you see the connection to our Lord? Jesus our Lord gave all of Himself to the Father. He held nothing back.

He spent His entire life, even His life itself, to fulfill the Fathers will, so that we might have salvation.

And so church here is the message beneath the message.

Are you holding back from God. Not just money and time church, but you. Are you holding back all of yourself from God.

I think the Pharisees and scribes became real good at giving God just as much of themselves as they wanted to, while holding back everything they didn’t want to give up.

Money is clearly one.

Control

Time

The woman gave it all, even to the point it might be scary or hurt. Where would her next meal come from?

The answer to that, the answer the woman could see when she gave her two copper coins, was God.

It had always come from God. God has always provided.

Jesus gave everything of Himself to the Father. This woman’s example was one of the purest examples of following Christ’s command to lay down your life daily and follow Christ that is recorded in the Bible.

Their hearts held nothing back from God the Father because they themselves were completely the Fathers. Their hearts said I am yours’s God

So here is our challenge church. Are we holding back from God? It wasn’t the amount of giving that made the rich peoples giving so unacceptable. It was everything else they were holding back from God. Because what they were actually holding back, was themselves.

God loves a cheerful giver scripture says. Well church what God wants far more than your money, is you. Have you cheerfully given yourself to Him? Is being His your desire?

Church you can give and give and give but if you don't give yourself to Him it will never be enough. He is after something so much more valuable to Him than your money, He is after you.