A Poor Giver

Mark 12:41-44 (KJV)

41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, evenall her living.

We find this passage really begins in verses 38-40 where Jesus is warning about the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. 38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

He then walks to the women's court where there were seven trumpet shaped offering collection receptacles. Jesus went over to the other side of the room and gathered his disciples around him pointed at one of the boxes and said, watch. As they sat there some men brought great amounts of money. They heard the many coins clink as they hit the bottom of the box. Some brought jewels, some gold, it was am impressive sight to behold, and then Jesus nudges them as a smile comes across his face and says, "there, right there, that's the one I wanted you to see." they watch almost in dismay as this little widow woman, hobbles up to the collection box and kind of sheepishly looks around to see if anyone is watching, and drops in her money. Two little clinks which seemed to reverberated throughout the whole court. She looks to heaven, tears coursing down her cheek, turns and hobbles away.

Jesus says probably with tears in his eyes as well, that poor widow, that lovely lady, she has given more than all the rest put together. The disciples shaking their heads couldn't understand. Jesus explains the others gave out of their abundance, they drew out of some savings account they weren't really going to miss that much or could be made up later, but this woman, this dear lady, she has given everything she had.

Just a few lessons that I think Jesus is trying to teach about giving that I want us to see today.

No one else may fully understand the sacrifice you are making - BUT GOD SEES

The Bible says this woman gave just two mites, or less than a penny, but it was all she had. She didn't have a stash somewhere in the house hidden from everyone else, it was all she had. Now I doubt that this woman ever became a millionaire, but I also doubt she ever went hungry. God saw to that. Theology can't always explain or comprehend this idea of Giving to God. And God blessing and yet you find it throughout scripture.

We are told elsewhere in scripture that the Lord loveth a cheerful giver, one who loves or enjoys giving to the work of the Lord. God doesn't let his accounts go too long - Payday doesn't always come on Friday but payday will come

Proverbs 11:25 (KJV)

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Proverbs 11:25 (NET1)

25 A generous person[84] will be enriched,[85] and the one who provides water[86] for others[87] will himself be satisfied.[88]

I know one man who lived faithfully and honestly before the Lord, paid his tithes and more to the Lord and struggled along working his day job, sometimes barely making ends meet. One day out of the blue he received a phone call that he was the recipient of a quarter of a million dollars from the sellout of the company he worked for. As far as I know he has used wisdom and is now set for life. I'm not telling you your million dollar check is coming in the mail tomorrow but I am telling you God will provide for you and meet your needs.

The Blessing is always more than the sacrificial giving.

I'm not sure how the Bible doesn't say, but this dear Widow received a blessing from the Lord. God just works that way. Don't be embarrassed if your offering isn't as much as someone else, you give what you can. I've heard people say, "If I had a million dollars I would give to this and that and them and everyone else," but the question I always have is what are you doing with what you already have, that may be why you don't have the millions The blessing may not always be monetary, sometimes it is the form of a spiritual blessing, or some other form.

Brother Lloyd Davolt's testimony at camp.

I think the takeaway tonight would be, you keep giving God see's and will reward accordingly.