1 The Widow s Mites Mark 12:41-44 Luke 21:1-4

Transcription

1 1 The Widow s Mites Mark 12:41-44 Luke 21:1-4

2 2 Texts: Mark 12:41-44, The Widow s Mites 41. And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: 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, even all her living. Luke 21:1-4, 1. And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3. and he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4. For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her poverty hath cast in all the living that she had. Commentary: I. Jesus: A. sat down opposite the place where the offerings were placed. 1. This was located in the temple court of women where boxes had been placed to receive contributions.

3 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And according to John 8:1-20, the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the

4 4 testimony of two men is true. I am one that bears witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. 3. Although John 7:53 through 8:12 was not originally in the Gospel of John, it appears to have been added to the book by someone who seems to have known of the events described. John tells us that many things happened which are not included in his gospel account. a. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. John 21:25 4. Jesus did much teaching in the court of women. 5. There were actually thirteen metal boxes shaped like inverted trumpets, large at the bottom and narrow at the top where the monies were deposited. B. Jesus looked up and watched the crowd putting their gifts into the temple treasury. C. Jesus was not impressed with how much was given, but rather how sacrificially the gift was made. II. Many rich people threw in large amounts very publicly.

5 5 III. A poor widow came and put in two very small brass or copper coins (mites) worth only a fraction of a penny. A. Leptons were the smallest of the Jewish coins. Lepton means the thin one. B. Jewish custom at that time made it not permissible to cast in less than two gifts. The poor widow gave the smallest legal gift possible. IV. Jesus called his disciples to him. V. I tell you the truth... VI. This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others put together. A. God in regard to our giving considers: 1. motive. 2. attitude. 3. financial condition. B. Jesus did not condemn the widow for giving everything she possessed. 1. The poor are to give as well as the wealthy. 2. The poor widow reverently discharged her religious duty in regard to giving. 3. This example has inspired multitudes to give to God s work through the centuries.

6 6 VII. They all gave out of their wealth, their superfluity, abundance. A. We must know that giving is not enough. B. Those who gave much were not approved nor condemned. They just gave much out of their abundance and clearly did not sacrifice to do so. VIII. She, out of her poverty, put in everything all she had to live on. (NIV) A. For us to give the widow s mite we must give everything we possess. B. The poor widow trusted God to supply her needs. She was full of faith! Note: This was likely the last public teaching of Jesus before his arrest.

7 7 The Widow s Mites Questions 1. Name two major events which took place in the temple in the court of women during Jesus public ministry. 2. Describe the collection baskets into which contributions were placed. How many of them were there? 3. Many threw in large amounts of while a put in, coins ( ). 4. These small Jewish coins were called which means the. 5. Who contributed more, the rich people or the poor widow? Give reasons for your answer.