Sermon: Generosity of an Unnamed God-Loving Poor Widow
Bible Passage: Mark 12:41-44
1. Our task today:
a. What does Mark teach his readers through this passage?
b. What response did he expect from them?
2. When Mark narrated this incident, he applied it in a Christian context—he wanted Christ followers transform from legalistic givers to generous stewards
3. Widow’s giving becomes a teaching moment for Jesus
a. Mark ends “Jesus’ public ministry” with this teaching narrative before he starts the passion narrative
b. In the passion narrative, Jesus does exactly what the widow did with her mite
4. Jesus outlines His vision for Christian giving which is not the legalistic giving
a. A lepta was the smallest coin in circulation—in Roman currency, it was called a quadrant
b. In financial terms, a lepta was negligible amount and even useless for a serious transaction
c. But Jesus viewed the widow’s leptas from divine economy
d. Two leptas would not have made any economic impact in the books of the Temple, but Jesus “immortalized” widow’s giving
e. The widow is not remembered for her poverty, but is remembered for her generosity!
f. Jesus viewed widow’s giving differently from the way the world would have viewed
g. The poor widow gave more than the “many wealthy people”
h. According to Jesus, she gave 100% “Truly I tell you; this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others” (verse 43)
i. Though her giving to God was going to hurt her, she still gave—it could have caused her next meal
j. She does not seem to be a wealthy person, but she acted like a wealthy person—in other words, wealth does not make a wealthy person, but behavior makes a person wealthy
k. When she gave all she had, she expressed her trust in God and His provisions
Giving becomes a real giving when it hurts the giver—the widow becomes a forerunner for what Jesus would eventually do for all of us
5. John 3:16 God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life
6. Phil 1:8 Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
7. John 15:34 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
8. Jesus gave all of Himself; The Father gave His best for our benefit
9. Jesus meant the teaching to His disciples and those who come after them—they were to give just as the widow did without any pretensions
10. The unnamed Jesus lover in Mark 14:3-9 broke the jar—“she gave all she had” (verse 8) so that she would not keep some for herself!
a. She, apparently, wasted a lot of money (verse 4)
b. She never spoke a word when all these things were happening!
11. 2 Cor 8:2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us
What does Jesus teach His disciples from this incident?
1. For Jesus, the widow becomes a model for Christians for giving to God
2. Jesus prefers generous giving over legalistic giving
3. Jesus, Paul, and other New Testament writers do not say anything about “tithe”—legalistic giving
4. Giving needs to be proportionate to the grace one receives from God
5. Giving is never legislated or forced upon, but it is spontaneous
6. Giving is the barometer of one’s love for God—it is never out of compulsion
7. Real giving must be sacrificial
a. The amount of the giving does not matter so much as its cost to the giver
b. Not the size of the gift, but the sacrifice!
8. Paul calls giving a type of “grace” (an enablement) or “grace giving” (2 Cor 8:1)
a. According to Paul, “grace giving” is carried out with joy and generosity (2 Cor 8:2) by those who are spiritually regenerated
b. It is a matter between God and a believer; a third party (pastor or elder) must not impose. However, believers must be taught about it
c. Jesus teaches a “willing-giving”—giving to the Lord and His work willingly, over giving legalistically
d. Jesus teaches that giving demonstrates one’s dependence on God rather than on money
9. One does not need to be rich/wealthy to give to God
10. Those who have less resources can also give generously to God
11. Giving to God demonstrates your assessment of God and it shows the depth of one’s faith
12. A regenerated Christian gives financially so that God’s work is carried out
Take Away:
Support generously the work of this local church