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Here in Mark twelve we have the account of two opposites.
In verses 38-40 we have the warning against the scribes, who sought positions of authority and fame.
However, in verses 41-44 we have the account of the widows mites.
There are several things that we can learn from this account.
Christ honors quality over quantity.
Christ did not say that he rejected the gifts of the scribes.
Christ did not say that the poor widow was greater than the rich scribes.
Christ did not call his disciples to give everything and become poor.
Christ did demonstrate that for the disciples each of them would have to give their everything (Lives) for Christ.
I would also like to take a minute and examine the mite.
FARTHING
The “two very small copper coins” were two lepta (so the Greek text).
The lepton was the smallest coin in circulation in Palestine and was worth 1/64 of a denarius, a day’s wages for a common laborer.
It was not in circulation in the western part of the Roman Empire, where Mark apparently wrote.
Therefore he explained that two lepta had the same value as a kodrantēs, the Greek transliteration of the Latin quadrans, which was a coin familiar to his readers/hearers.
(The statement “which is a quadrans” is obscured by the NIV’s “worth only a fraction of a penny.”
A similar obfuscation appears in most translations because most modern readers have no knowledge of ancient coins or their values.)
The lessons for disciples are:
I.
The heart must be guarded against pride.
This verse is a command in the Hebrew.
It is a Hiphil, Jusive, 3ms and displays a causative command.
It can be translated as the Lord will cause the flattering lips to be cut off and the tongue that speaks proud things.
II.
Our value isn’t decreased based upon other peoples perception.
Others did not see the widows value.
The story almost gives the impression that she was ostracized for her small gift.
Yet, it was this widow that Jesus said gave the most.
Why? Because, she gave the greatest sacrifice.
Did not worry about what you do not have to give to God.
Give what he has given you.
Your gist may not be the same as your neighbors.
You may think that your gifts and talents do not measure with the next persons.
However, If you will give what you possess to God he will recognize its value.
Even if no one else does.
Don’t live for the approval of the brethren.
Don’t live for mens applause.
Live for the glory of God.
III.
We must be prepared to give ourselves to God.
God did not require the disciples to give everything to the temple.
However, he did highlight the sacrifice that is commendable.
He called the disciples so that could see the sacrifice of this widow and how she had willingly given everything to God.
The expression “calling his disciples to him” indicates that the teaching was intended for them and for all subsequent disciples.
They too were to be generous in the extreme but without any ostentatiousness.
In various ways they were to give their all as the widow did.
But there is an additional lesson in the account.
The sacrificial gift of the widow points to the sacrificial gift of Jesus.
She gave her entire livelihood; he gave his very life.
As Paul put it, “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9).
Therefore the account functions as a transition to the passion narrative in chaps.
14–15.
With this beautiful story Mark ended his account of Jesus’ public ministry.
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