Mark 12:41-43

“The Widow’s Mite”

Today our lesson deals with Mark 12:41-43, The account usually known

as, “The Widow’s Mite.” Read the Text.

The Coin• According to the Expositor’s

Bible Commentary Vol. 8,(Zondervan) the value of the coin was 1/64 of a common day laborer’s wage. The Greek word was “lepton” meaning,

• “A tiny thing.”

The Coin• The English word for the

same concept---mite.

The Coin• As you can see, the monetary

value of the coin was exceedingly small in comparison to the large donations of the rich.

Widow’s Mite:

This is a scanned picture of a widow’s mite.

Pay To The Order Of …….

2121

$ ________

_______________________________________ Dollars

For: ______________

John Doe2121 Walnut LaneAnywhere, USA 55512

Date: _________

The rich in this story were giving large amounts

They are not condemned for doing so. In other places Jesus condemned showy religion—doing things to receive the praise of men.

In this case as we will see, there is condemnation of

those who take advantage of the widows. There is no condemnation associated

with the giving here.

Of whom much is given, much is required. Those

who have the ability should support the work of the

church generously.

To put it in today’s imagery, the rich were putting in

huge cheques…..

Two Pennies

…….while the widow only put in two pennies.

The Temple

• The temple was a magnificent structure. I must have taken a lot of money to keep up.

• According to Barclay, there were 13 trumpet shaped coffers in the courtyard between the court of the Gentiles and the court of the Women. This was derived from the old testament practice where cedar boxes had a hole drilled in the top to collect the offerings.

Observing the Giving of Others.

• Filing past the collection Plate

• Jesus observes the giving of

the people When the widow

puts in her coins, Jesus calls

to the disciples to make sure

they witness this event.

• We are not supposed to be

showing in our giving.

However, it is impossible to

not know something about

other’s giving.

• In the old days, people used

to march past the collection

plate and put in their collection

Several of you in the audience

are nodding assent to this

practice.

• While we are not to flaunt

our giving, it is impossible to

keep it completely unknown.

Some churches have volunteers

who count the contribution.

Occasionally we just “find out”

about a generous or stingy

contribution.

• Those who pass the

collection plate cannot help

but notice the actions of

others. My three sons have all

at times asked me innocently,

“Dad, Why does so and so not

give anything to the

• church?”

• I would answer, perhaps

they are having some

problems. Maybe they will

change in the future. It is hard

for them to understand.

Sometimes it is hard for me to

understand.

• I have witnessed some very generous acts of giving. They just appear—gifts of money, sacrifice and commitment. Sometimes they are small acts that represent generosity of heart and spirit.

• To sum up, the knowledge of our giving—intentionally or otherwise--can be a positive or negative influence.

The Condemnation of the Pharisees

• Before: Mark 12:38-40• “Big Hog at the Trough”

• After: Mark 13:1-2 • Warnings to the

establishment!

• You might be surprised by a strange turn

in this sermon. When we preach on the

widow’s mite, we usually have unreserved

praise for the widow’s contribution. This

is appropriate, but there is also a little

more going on here.

• In the context, before and after, there is

condemnation of the Pharisees for their

greed and announcement that the temple

will be torn down. This passage should

not be used to “shake down”, those who

are of limited means in order for the

establishment to thrive.

• Immediately before our passage

Jesus says, Mark 12:38 (NIV) “Watch out

for the teachers of the law. They like to

walk around in flowing robes and be

greeted in the marketplaces, 39 and have

the most important seats in the

synagogues and the places of

honour at banquets.

• 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a

show make lengthy prayers. Such men

will be punished most severely.” There is

clear condemnation for those who would

take advantage those who are in need.

• In the society of Bible times,

widows were extremely vulnerable. Upon

the death of the husband, property went

to the oldest son. Of course the son was

supposed to take care of his mother

(Remember the Ten Commandments:

“Honor thy father and mother.”) But it did

not always happen.

• The teacher of the law was not supposed

to receive any salary for his teaching. He

had a second occupation. But he could

accept gifts—and they courted the rich

and widows in order to receive those

gifts.

• Sometimes, they would insist that the

widows let them take care of their own

estates—for their own good of course.

Then they would plunder those estates.

• I heard a good story recently. A man

came into a nice city church came up

to the secretaries’ desk and

announced loudly and crudely, “ I

want to talk to the head hog at the

trough!”

• The secretary said, “Sir! When

people come into this church, they usually

show a little more respect for the minister

than that. I think you could speak a little more

respectfully.” The man said, “Well, I just came

into some money and I was thinking about

donating $10,000 to the building fund.” “I’ll

get the big pig for you,” said the secretary.

• • When we stand to benefit, there is a clear

temptation involved.• Equally troubling is the prediction in

Mark 13: The temple will be destroyed. This was near heresy in Jesus’ day.

• It did not help his popularity. However, it

serves as a warning to us today. God’s

glory does not lie in elaborate buildings,

ornate structures, or multi-million dollar

facilities.

• God’s glory is found in the hearts of His people—in acts of devotion as witnessed here. Yes: God uses great facilities in His service and to His glory. Yes: it takes sacrificial giving to accomplish these things. But we must be ware that we do not trust in them but in God.

• •• This should be a clear warning to

anyone who receives money from the preaching of the gospel. We are not to be dishonest or greedy in any way.

• True strength does not lie in buildings or

money or status, it relies on trust in God.

We must not be in religion for pride or

show.

The Challenge To “Clergy”

• Leadership: (people paid by the church.)

• Consecration--not Cash.• Never be in this for money or

status only service.• The real lesson:

Don’t be self-serving!

• Here is the challenge to those

supported by others. Go for

consecration--not cash. Never

consider ministry for money or

status—only for service.

• This lesson is not limited to

those who are paid by others. The

real lesson is not to be self-

serving. Before we are too hard

on the hard working preacher, let

us consider what percentage of

our own income that we keep for

ourselves.

• If we live a life of greed and do

not support the work of the Lord,

we are equally guilty of robbing

God.

• Don’t begrudge the preacher his

salary as you drive around in a

fancy car and go to a luxurious

home. If so, you’re guilty of being

self-serving as well.

The Commendation of the Widow

• “They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything”

• A life of trust.• A life of sacrifice.• A life of service.

• This is not the only lesson,

however. History has been

correct to see the wonderful trust

and generosity of the widow. She

is a marvelous example of faith

and self-sacrifice.

• This widow gives all. In doing

so, she casts her dependence

upon God. She now must depend

upon God.

• I do not think that the main

lesson is that she gave

generously—but that she is

showing absolute dependence

on God. Her gift is contrasted

with the rich people.

• They gave generously, but had a

great deal left over. She has given

all and in doing so must (and

chooses to) rely on God. She not

only gives—she gives sacrificially.

• Even when I try to be generous

with God—I am inspired by this

woman who gives all. So many

times, we are giving such a small

amount to God. But I an not

interested in limiting this to

money.

• We serve God when we get

out of our comfort zone. This

widow demolished hers. A man in

our congregation who had limited

education returned to the church

in his later years. He had never

fell very secure in his abilities.

• He had a strong desire to serve

the Lord. He wanted to lead

public pray—but he was extremely

nervous. I counseled him to write

out the prayer verbatim—

something that most people do

not do in our church.

• I can still see his hands shake as

he unfolded that paper, stood

before the people, and read the

prayer. He broke out of his

comfort zone in sacrificial living

and grew a great deal in the

process.

• I read recently of the death

of the former CEO who died last

year. He would “adopt” students

from his church and take them to

his favorite restaurant. As a busy

person, he gave something very

precious to him—his time.

• We imitate the widow’s mite when

we give sacrificially of our money,

time, energy, and efforts—our

selves.

To Christians: A Challenge to Commitment

• Sacrificial Giving.• The Joy of Giving.• Trust in God.

 

• To sum up this lesson, Christians

are challenged to a life of

sacrificial giving. In doing so we

learn what many people never

realize—the joy of giving.

• But the greatest lesson of all we

need to learn—we must learn to

trust in God—for everything.