What Defines You?

Series: “The Gospel Truth”

Text: Mark 12:38-44

Introduction: (What?)

We live in an “idol worshipping” society. Musicians, sports figures and actors all have their fan base. Unfortunately, there are also religious people who command great followings. Many people revel in the number of followers they have on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Jesus addressed the contrast between the famous and the totally overlooked. Who are you most like?

Explanation: (Why?)

1. Watch Out!!! (vv 38-40)

It is amazing to me how people emulate sports figures, musicians, actors and others in the public eye. The explosion of so-called “body art” (tattoos) can be traced to this sort of idol emulation. One of the strangest I’ve seen is the practice among many young men of wearing their pants low, exposing their underwear. What most don’t realize is that this practice came from prison due to the lack of belts (to prevent suicides) and oversized pants. Once inmates were released, they continued to dress as they did in prison. Some even claim that that style in prison also identified those who made themselves available for sex. Soon the skate boarders and the hip-hop nation adopted this fad. In today’s “cancel culture” it might be said that men wearing their pants belted around their waists are racists. The further away from the inception, the fewer people who adopt the fad understand the message they are putting out.

In vv 38-40 Jesus issued some warnings regarding the scribes. These were men who, beginning as “copyists” who wrote out the scriptures from the Pentateuch, evolved into those who specialized in the interpretation of religious law. Quite often they opposed the teachings of Jesus. This opposition is what led to the warnings Jesus made regarding them.

“He also said in His teaching, ‘Beware of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes and who want greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive harsher judgment.”

The “long robes” that Jesus mentioned were somewhat of a uniform that identified the wearer as “a devout and noted scholar” (J. McArthur). They deliberately dressed this way so that they would be recognized and have people rise in their presence when they were out in public. Also they expected to occupy the choice seats in the synagogue, a bench which was closest to the chest where the Torah was kept. This bench was reserved for those holding titles and honor. Also, if they were invited to a social event or banquet they expected to be seated closest to the host.

When Jesus issued His warning regarding the scribes, He was saying, “Don’t fall for their flaunting their piety.” In Luke 18:13ff Jesus told the parable of the Pharisee and the tax-collector who prayed in the temple. The Pharisee prayed “God, I thank You that I’m not like other people--- greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.” This was an example of the type prayers Jesus said that the scribes prayed…more to heard by man than by God.

He went on to explain that in v 40 where He said, “They devour widows houses and say long prayers just for show.” In that day the scribes often served as estate planners for widows. They would catch them at their most vulnerable time and convince them that they should serve God by supporting the work of the scribe. In our day Jesus might aim such charges at some of the televangelists who, living in mansions worth millions and going from place to place on private jets, live on the gifts of the poor who are duped into believing they will be blessed is they send money to them. Jesse Duplantis begged his followers for $54 million to buy a new jet plane for his “ministry”. Kenneth Copeland owns two private jets, the last of which he bought from actor Tyler Perry. As of 2020 Joel Osteen’s net worth was $100,000,000. These are modern day “scribes” who “devour widows houses and say long prayers just for show.” Jesus said to watch out for such as these. Don’t buy their books, watch their TV shows, and certainly don’t send them any money.

The last phrase Jesus uttered regarding the scribes should resonate with us. “These will receive the harsher judgment.” Rather than applaud the idea that these charlatans will get what’s coming to them, we should pause for some self evaluation. In Luke 12:48 Jesus said, “But the one who did not know and did what deserved punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected.” Before saying this Jesus had just told a parable of a servant who was given charge of the household while the Master was away that would face one of two outcomes. If he obediently carried out his responsibilities, he would be rewarded. However if he flaunted his authority and took advantage of those in the household, he would face strict judgment.

Those of us who have been raised in the church, have attended SS most of our lives and who rarely miss a worship service will be held to a higher standard than those who never had such an opportunity. Those have a houseful of Bibles, commentaries and Bible Dictionaries will be held accountable to what we did with the knowledge we garnered from them. You must be aware of the fact that God will hold you accountable for every bit of His truth to which you have been exposed.

James wrote in 3:1 “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.” John McArthur notes that this is not meant to discourage true teachers, but rather to warn those whose motive for teaching is selfish. The scribes functioned from selfish motives, wanting the recognition and wealth which they thought should accompany their position.

2. What you keep vs what you give (vv 41-44)

Keeping in mind what Jesus said about the scribes “devouring widows’ houses” lets look at vss 41-44

“Sitting across from the temple treasury, He watched how the crowd dropped money into the treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little. Summoning His disciples, He said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had---all that she had to live on.’”

The temple treasury, was comprised of thirteen inverted trumpet-like funnels that fed into thirteen boxes (offering plates). The treasury was located in the Court of Women, so called not because only women could be there, but because this was as far as women could go into the temple. The metal “trumpets” would resound with the coins (they didn’t have paper money in this time) as they bounced into the boxes. Of course people would take notice of the large handfuls of coins deposited by the rich. Jesus, on the other hand, noticed an obscure widow who dropped in two coin that hardly made a sound. These Greek copper coins contained only 1.55 grams of copper. One commentator said that if you held one in the open palm of your hand, you could easily blow it away with a puff of breath. Notice that she gave two coins---all that she had to live on. Most of us would have thought her to be generous if she gave one and kept one. Most people who were there that day, probably didn’t even notice what she gave. What we need to realize is that, of all the places that Jesus could have sat in the Temple, He chose to sit by the treasury. Jesus knows and cares about what we give. They way that we give today in our church, with offering plates in the foyer rather than being passed down the pews, and with money coming in via on-line giving, still does not go unnoticed by Jesus. The importance of honesty in giving is underscored by what is recorded in Acts 5:1-10. Turn there with me. (read) The problem was not that Ananias and Sapphira didn’t give all they got from the sale of property, but rather that they wanted people to think that they gave all while in reality they kept some back. They lied to God (the Holy Spirit) and the consequence was death. Jesus notices not only what we give, but also what we hold back.

Another woman who gave all she had we will see later in chapter 14:3-9. This is the woman who broke the alabaster jar of ointment and poured it on Jesus’s head and feet. (READ) The jar itself was quite expensive. That fact that she broke it rendered it unusable. The nard within the jar had been imported from India and was worth 300 denarii (almost a year’s salary for a working man). The most noticeable thing in this passage is what Jesus had to say about her unselfish act. “She has done what she could; she has anointed My body in advance for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Usually people don’t like to hear sermons about tithing or giving. However, money and possessions are the second most referenced topic in the Bible, being mentioned over 800 times. My favorite scripture on giving is found in Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure---pressed down, shaken together, and running over---will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” This verse does not specifically address money, rather it addresses generosity. If someone needs your time, give it gladly. If someone needs your expertise, offer it with joy. Whatever, the need, if you give to meet the need, God will see that your needs are amply supplied. In 2 Cor. 9:6-8 Paul wrote, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things may have an abundance for every good work.”

When my brother and sister-in-law were in college, he was president of what was then known as the Baptist Student Union (BSU). It was near Christmas, and the BSU was encouraging students to give toward a goal they had set for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. They had very little in their bank account. After praying together, they gave all they had in the bank to the offering, and lived on soda crackers and peanut butter until they got some money. Later God called them to the Mission Field in Taiwan where they spent 26 1/2 years supported by your gifts to the Cooperative Program and to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

The two women held nothing back. Jerry and Sandy held nothing back. We know about the two women because Jesus noticed them and the gospel writers recorded what they did. They were known as much for what they kept back (nothing) as for what they gave. Ananias and Sapphira were known for what they held back, not for what they gave. How are you known to Jesus today?

Application: (How am I going to apply this message in my life?)

Are you defined by what you give, (money, time, talent, spiritual gifts) or by what you withhold? Here are some things to consider and decisions to make.

Learn to give by revelation. Ask God what He would have you to give, financially and otherwise.

When God closes a door of giving either of money or service, look for an open door.

God uses F.A.T. people. Those who are FAITHFUL, AVAILABLE and TEACHABLE. Does this describe you? Will you seek to become F.A.T. today?

Have you determined that God can no longer use you because of age, infirmity, lack of funds or talent? Perhaps you should realize that if God were finished with you, you would not longer be here.