Lesson 37 Children Search The Widow’s Offering
Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4
The story is told of a little girl who went shopping with her mother and saw a very beautiful doll. She wanted it so badly, but they just could not time they went into that store, the girl would always gaze at the doll. Some months later, things got better for the family as the father became well. The mother was then able to buy the doll as a surprise gift to the little girl. She and the doll were inseparable as it became her favourite treasure.
One day, while in the church with her parents, she listened as the pastor spoke of how much Jesus loves us-how He died for our sins. All week long, the girl thought about how much Jesus loves her and she wished she could do something to show Him that she loves Him too. But she only had her treasured doll. The next Sunday her father and mother couldn’t believe it when they saw the girl take her treasured doll and put it on the offering plate. Some people were amazed not realising the costly sacrifice it represented. Every day the little girl missed her doll especially at bedtime, but then she would think about Jesus’ love and sacrifice and it would be all right again.
One evening the pastor came to their house with the doll. He smiled warmly and said “I brought your doll back to you.” The little girl was surprised at the sight of that doll. She didn’t move. “Go ahead, take her” the pastor said. “I’m giving her back to you“. The girl replied, “I can’t … I can’t take her.” “But why?” Asked the pastor, “Because… I didn’t give her to you but unto the Lord.” She had given her treasured doll to the Lord and not the pastor.
This is the same lesson the poor widow in our Bible passage teaches us.
This woman’s giving reveals two important truths.
(i) It shows us how we should respond to the great love of Christ. We must give Him our heart.
(ii) It points us to Christ’s total self-giving for us on the cross (2 Corinthians 8:9). He took our sins on Himself so that we can receive pardon and forgiveness from God.
To please God with your giving, you must first receive His indescribable gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Then, out of love, give Him your heart and show it by giving sacrificially to please Him.
- THE WIDOW’S EXAMPLE OF SACRIFICIAL GIVING: Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4; 2 Samuel 24:24,25; Matthew 10:42; Mark 9:41; 14:1-9
Jesus was in fellowship watching what the people were doing. Even now Jesus is everywhere watching all that we do. He sees what we do and our motives for such actions. Jesus noticed that some of the rich people gave generously, but the poor widow gave an amount so small that it was almost of no value in the local market.
Jesus however, was more concerned with how people gave than the amount they gave. He considered that the widow gave more than anyone else because He measured the gift not by its commercial value but by the degree of sacrifice of the giver. A heart of true devotion, not money, was the most valuable thing in His kingdom. The “little mites” that the widow gave, out-weighed all the rest. The rich people gave out of their abundance. She gave out of her poverty and insufficiency. They gave out of surplus; she gave out of need. This shows that she gave “her whole livelihood.”
Her action was an exemplary one which made Jesus commend her. You are to follow her example; do not say “I am too small to give.” There are many things you can give for God’s use-talent, treasure, time and most importantly your life. Your giving must be sacrificial and done willingly.
- WONDERFUL LESSONS FROM THE WIDOW’S OFFERING: Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4; 2 Samuel 24:24,25; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Jesus teaches us some important lessons from the widow’s sacrificial giving.
(i) The significance of a person’s gifts is determined not by the amount he/she gives, but by the measure of sacrifice involved in the giving (2 Corinthians 9:6). The rich at times give only a token from the abundance of their wealth that involves no sacrifice. Though the widow gave only a very small amount, her giving represented a heart of rich generosity. She gave so much as she possibly could.
(ii) God evaluates our actions not by its quantity but by the quality of our love, faith and sacrificial giving of ourselves to Him in sincere devotion.
(iii) The condition of the heart of the giver is more important than the size of the gift (2 Corinthians 9:7). God does not measure sacrifice by the size of the gift but by its cost to the giver (2 Corinthians 8:1-3).
(iv) God is able to multiply that which is invested in His kingdom work
(John 6:9-12; Luke 6:38).
(v) Sacrificial giving helps us to give praise to God and depend on Him for our needs (Philippians 4:19).
(vi) God desires that we first give our hearts to Him before any other thing (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).
Have you given your heart to Jesus? If not, you can do so by repenting of your sins, asking for forgiveness and cleansing of your sins with the blood of Jesus and surrendering your life to Him so He can reign in your heart as your Saviour and Lord.
3.WAYS TO EXPRESS SACRIFICIAL GIVING: Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4; 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:1-7
Giving is an important aspect of worship. We must realise the fact that God owns us and all that we have. Therefore, we must surrender all to Him. Whatever we are giving to God-money, tithes, time, talent, love to others, care for the needy, we need to consider these principles
(i) Focus on Christ – the centre of our giving must be Christ and not ‘self. God knows the motive for our giving. We should therefore give sacrificially, selflessly and with humble submission to God.
(ii) Faith in God’s word-when we give, it should be with faith, knowing and believing that God will always supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. As we give willingly, God will give us back in multiple fold (Luke 6:38).
(iii) Faithfulness in giving-we must give sacrificially, willingly and faithfully. Do not be like Ananias and Sapphira who thought they could deceive God in their giving. Whatever you are giving for God’s service and for others must be done through pure love and good motive. Children should not be stingy. You can start in a little way, from your small savings, give. Also pay your tithes regularly and God will honour your faith.
QUESTIONS:
- The story of the widow’s offering reveals two important truths. (a)._____________________________ b.________________________________
- The widow’s offering was __________________________giving.
- Mention five important lessons from the widow’s offering.
- What are the principles of sacrificial giving?
- Are you a cheerful giver?
MEMORY VERSE: “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” (Mark 12:43).
LESSON: God loves a cheerful giver.
THOUGHT: I will give sacrificially and cheerfully to the Lord.
ACTIVITY: MAKE A PLEDGE. Put into practice all that you have learnt about sacrificial giving by making a pledge of what you will give unto the Lord. CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 85 GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER
CHORUSES:
(1) Give and it shall be given unto you.
(2) I will give to God all I have.
(3) Jabrata, Jabrata, Jabrata, God will bless me Jabrata.
HOMEWORK: Share the love of Jesus with at least one child during the week.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Sacrificial
- Quality
- Fellowship
- Principles
- Evaluation
