Lesson 89 Adults Search The Widow’s Mites
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: 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“ (Mark 12:43,44).
TEXTS: Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4
The timeless and inspiring account of the widow who gave her all to God is the focus of this study. The event took place at a period when religious leaders were exploiting the less-privileged in the society – widows, the fatherless, orphans etc. The Bible reveals how the scribes devoured widows’ houses (Mark 12:38-40). In many societies, the rights of widows are not well protected and this makes them predisposed to maltreatment. The early Church made conscious efforts to address the needs of widows (Acts 6:1-4).
Like many widows, the central character in our text was described as a “poor widow”. Her action was challenging and instructive; she gave, in spite of her by the Macedonian believers who also gave despite their state of poverty and great trial. Paul wrote: “How that in a joy demonstrated and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality” (2 Corinthians 8:2). Also, the widow actively participated in religious activities despite her It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).God promises to increase the wealth of givers, not receivers (Proverbs 11:24,25; Luke 6:38). We should always be ready to offer to Him because He gave His “only begotten Son” so that we might gain eternal life (John 3:16). The gift of His Son is priceless and unquantifiable. Therefore, nothing should be considered too much to give to God in order to reciprocate His love for us. Giving is a privilege because only the living can give to God.
- DIVINE PROSPERITY AND RECORD OF OUR ATTITUDE TO GIVING.
Mark 12:41,42; Luke 21:1,2; 1 Samuel 2:7; Acts 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Exodus 25:2; 1 Chronicles 29:14,17; 2 Chronicles 17:16; 35:8; 2 Kings 12:9; Joshua 6:19; Matthew 27:6.
That Jesus “...sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury” (Mark 12:41), shows that He is interested in and sees all that we do in His house, including giving. The omniscient God has the record of our giving, both past and present. The angel told Cornelius that his prayers and alms “…are come up for a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4). God is not only aware of the amount we give but He also knows the level of our prosperity. He has record of all our regular and irregular incomes, profits and losses. That is why the Scripture enjoins us to give according to the level of our prosperity. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:2). The poor widow in our text did not announce she was giving the last two mites she had, yet Christ knew. The Lord knows our net worth, what we give and what we keep back (Acts 5:3; Mark 12:44).
The manner and attitude to giving is as important as what we give. Jesus “...beheld how the people cast money into the treasury...” (Mark 12:41). Christ knows our motives for giving. He knows whether we give liberally or sparingly, grudgingly or cheerfully, humbly or arrogantly. He knows whether we give to please men or tiny birds) (Matthew 10:29). The amount given by this
to please Him. The Bible clearly states: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). God commanded the children of Israel to give willingly. He said, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering” (Exodus 25:2). Another important lesson here is that “…many that were rich cast in much”. This is expected of the rich people. The rich should not compare themselves with the poor in the church when it comes to giving. As exemplified by the widow, the poor also do not have any excuse not to give. Giving involves determination and self-denial because there are always other needs competing for the money or gifts we plan to give to God. Ministers have the following roles to play with regard to offering in the church. One, provision should be made for people to give in an orderly manner (2 Kings 12:9; Joshua 6:19; 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2; 14:40). Two, faithful people should be assigned to keep the treasury (2 Kings 22:9). Three, they should be vigilant and also preach against contributing money obtained from unrighteous gains. “Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 23:18). Four, they should be prudent and accountable in the way they spend money realised from collection of offering because many, like the poor widow, gave from their hard-earned incomes.
2.DIVINE PARAMETERS FOR RATING AMOUNT GIVEN. Mark 12:42-44; Luke 21:2-4; 1 Samuel 16:7;1 Kings 17:10-16; Matthew 6:1,3; 10:29; Acts 4:34-37)
“And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing” (Mark 12:42). A farthing was a very small amount of money (Matthew 5:26). It was just enough to buy two sparrows widow, though small, caught the attention of our Lord. in many gatherings today, such a small offering may not be noticed or announced when referring to great giving. This only confirms the word of God: “...for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
The major lesson here is that giving is not necessarily rated by the amount given. Though the rich people gave much, they still had much left after they gave. Perhaps, many of the rich people gave only a small fraction or percent of their money; whereas, this woman gave one hundred percent. It is also instructive that the poor widow gave priority to giving to God. Needless to say, that as “a poor widow”, she had many financial challenges. Notwithstanding, she gave all that she had. Note that she trusted God for divine provision after she had “...cast in all that she had, even all her living” (Mark 12:44). The poor in the church should not shy away from giving and leave the financing of God’s projects for the rich alone. Giving to God brings blessings and everyone should desire to share in them. No amount is too small to give to God. No one should therefore withdraw from giving because the amount they have to give is too small.
It is important to clarify some misconceptions about giving to God and giving alms to beggars. Christ warned: Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. But when thou does alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth” (Matthew 6:1,3). God is not a beggar. Giving to God is different from giving alms to beggars. The two mites the widow gave were not hidden other disciples realised from the sale of their widow gave were not hidden. The proceeds Barnabas and other disciples realised from the sale of their possessions were brought to the apostles publicly (Acts 4:34-37).
DIVINE PRAISE FOR RELEASING OUR ALL TO GOD: Mark 12:43,44; Luke 21:3,4; Genesis 22:16,17; Mark 14:9; Philippians 4:14-19; Malachi 3:10-12; Luke 6:38; Revelation 20:12.
For God to recognise and reward our giving, our names must have been written in the book of life in heaven. This is possible through genuine repentance from sin and faith in the atoning sacrifice from sin, guilt and condemnation. The Macedonian believers are examples in this regard. Paul the apostle of Christ. When this is done sincerely, there is freedom who witnessed how they gave to the work of God, wrote: …And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (2 Corinthians 8:4,5).
cast more in, than all they which have cast into the “Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath treasury: 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” (Mark 12:43,44). This singular act of giving by the widow elicited public commendation from our Lord. Sacrificial giving brings God’s blessings. God blessed Abraham because he willingly gave his only son That in blessing Isaac as an offering to Him. He said,” I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven…” (Genesis 22:17). Jesus also praised the woman that offered to Him an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard. He said, “Verily I say unto you, Whosesoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her” (Mark 14:9). Paul praised and prayed for the Macedonian brethren who sent gifts to him while on giving is done scripturally, the giver is happy and his missionary assignment (Philippians 4:14-19). When windows of heaven are opened for divine blessings (Malachi 3:10-12).
Giving to God is not limited to money. Giving our all to Him implies surrendering our time, talents and treasures whenever He needs them in whole or in part. In most cases, God does not tell us the specific rewards He plans to release on us when He asks us to give. Abraham was not told the blessings that would follow his obedience after surrendering Isaac. Peter was not told that there would be a bountiful harvest of fishes at the time he surrendered his ship for Christ’s use. Likewise, the widow in our text did not know that giving only two mites would lead to such praise from Christ and that her singular act of liberality would furnish the theme of many sermons many years later.
God values our salvation more than our giving. Our prosperity comes from God (1 Samuel 2:7). Ours is to be faithful in giving and service, or whatever He demands from us. Thereafter, His promise of abundance will be fulfilled in our lives (Philippians 4:19).
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW:
- What can believers learn from the life of the poor widow?
- What should be our attitude while giving to God?
- What are the roles of ministers in keeping church funds?
- How would you describe the value of the two mites given by the poor widow?
- What can we learn from the amount the poor widow gave?
- Clarify some misconceptions about giving.
- What is the place of salvation in our giving to God?
