What can you give?

Introduction

When I say the word share or give what comes to your mind?

What is that you have you can share? When you share do you share what’s not needed, left or from the generous heart?

Passage

Mark 12:41-44

Mark 12:41–44 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. 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.”

Context

Just after the challenging talks with Pharisees and Scribes (taxes, Greatest Command, their twisted ways e.g. “devouring widows’ houses”)

Just before the final days and hours of betrayal, death and resurrection

Characters: Jesus, rich people, poor widow, disciples

Widows - often only rely on support from families; little social help;

Narrative

Jesus uses a scene to point to important principles - we will uncover today

Many rich people put many coins but Poor widow put only two coins - which was small - just about of 15-20 mins work for a man in that time

Jesus calls disciples and points to her gift being bigger than all of people combined!

Other examples

Macedonian churches’ collecting for the saints in Jerusalem (ref. 2 Cor. 8:1-5)

My own:

Anti-example -> not giving tithes when working abroad; then started and have been doing so since I got my first job in country

Me and my wife had few chances that we did have some possibility to give away, prayed a lot where/who to but waited until God showed us the occasion.

Give in secret as the reward is there (Mat. 6:1-4)

What we can share?

Finances: money, offering, cause,

Skills (reg. The Parable of the talents) with 1,3 or 5 talents but all had something

Time (relates to above but can be separate)

Homework

List all you have and can share - give away (skills including) - learn to appreciate what/where you are (as example from Paul ref. Phil. 4:11-12)

Check your finances and giving options

Pray to God for wisdom and direction in giving

Prayer

For God’s provision in this challenging times

For God’s wisdom and direction on giving generously

Final thought (verse)

God blesses cheerful giver and will supply all needs (2 Cor.9:6-11)