Meeting for Turnhout Congregation, Belgium
Sunday, 26 March 2006


                                            
Introduction:

Some have said that one-sixth of the verses in the Bible in some way relate to the topic of giving. Not to say all mention money or giving things to God, but in some way these verses refer to Gods giving something to us or our giving to God or to others.

The Lord himself said:

"It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20.35)
"God loves a cheerful giver." (2.Corinthians 9.7)
"Christ who loved us and gave himself up for us" (Ephesians 5.2)
Winston Churchill once said:
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

What kind of life am I making? What am I giving?
God does not hesitate to speak on giving, yet I must admit I do not like to preach on it. We often hesitate to speak on it. Such lessons are not normally on our list of favourites. Why?

Lesson:

Text for lesson: Mark 12.41-44 and Luke 21.1-4

JESUS LOOKED AT THE GIVING IN THE TEMPLE.

a. The situation: it was Tuesday before Jesus died on Friday.

It had been a busy and exhausting day. It has been a day long with "a war of words" with enemies who repeatedly tried to trick Him and trap him. As our story begins Christ has retired to a quick area of the temple (most think the area called the court of Women), where the temple treasury was located. (Ref John 8.20, Mark 14.21). These offerings were voluntary offerings. On special occasions such as feast days, many came to make freewill contributions.

b. Jesus observed: Jesus sat down opposite the treasury. Maybe sat there for a quite time and then later he lifts his eyes and looks at those coming to give. (Luke 21.1). He observed that the people were putting money into the treasury (Mark 12.41)

Think of Matthew 6.3 "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing that your charitable deed may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly."

Concerning he secrets that Gods knows, Matthew 10.30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

Nevertheless Jesus sat and observed HOW the people were putting money in.

c. Greek word: The Greek word translated "were putting" can also be translated "were throwing". The KJV say "the people cast money into the treasury". Jesus had earlier mentioned the motive for some people who gave. Ref. Matthew 6.2 "..that they may have glory from men!"

d. Jesus saw:

1) many rich people putting large sums (Mark 12.41)
Nothing wrong with that.

The Bible states those who sow sparingly will also reap sparingly, those who sow bountifully will also reap bountifully (ref. 2.Corinthians 9.6)

2) A poor widow put in two small cooper coins. (Mark 12.42)

Widows were considered the most defenceless and helpless segment of society. God has special laws for their care and protection.

(Ref. Ex. 22.22, Deut. 24.19-21, 27.19)

Most widows were poor, so that Mark and Luke’s describe her as "a poor widow" may indicate she was among the poorest of the poor.

                    e. Understanding what the widow did.

- 2 cooper coins or "mites" or "lepta" (plural form of lepton)
- Lepton a tiny Jewish cooper coin which means "thin one".
- Lepton is the only Jewish coin mentioned in the New Testament.

2 lepton = to a cent, or quadrant a small Roman coin.

A quadrant = is about 1/64th of a "denarious". A denarious was a day’s wage for a common labourer (Mt. 20.2).

Remember a common labourer could barely live on his wage; she gave much less than a days wage.

The widow gave a tiny fraction of a workers pay for one day.

                   f. Jesus wanted his followers to see this.

Mark 12.43 "So he called His disciples to Himself and said to them….."

Jesus wanted his disciples to see and understand this! Important, significant lesson.

Points Jesus made of which we should learn:

- "This widow has put in more that ALL those who have given to the treasury!"
- "They have all put in out of their abundance."
- "She out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.

From Gods view: (seeing this as Gods sees them, not always easy!)

It was priceless what she had done.
Her tiny coins were more precious than diamonds!
Her reckless generosity= a proof of sacrificial giving and love for God.

Men see the gift that is given, God sees what is left after the gift is given.
God sees and appreciates the willingness and joy of giving.
The gift the rich gave "cost" them nothing!
The gift of the widow "cost" her everything!

Sometimes people may say…." All I can give is the widows mite". Do not say this unless it is all that you have. If you have anything left, your gift is not being compared with the gift of this poor widow!

Some may criticize this woman, speak of her instability or foolishness but God commended her gift of love. One thing is certain this poor widow was trusting in God to take care of her needs as stated in Matthew 6.33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you."

                                        g) Lessons to be learned:

All should give, whether rich, poor or in between.
God views giving differently than we do.
Our giving should be sacrificial.
Our giving should reflect the fact that our trust is in God, not gold.

JESUS STILL LOOKS AT OUR GIVING.

Many scripture speak of a God that sees everything, that he is omnipresent and omniscient:

2.Chronicles 16.9 "…the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth"

Proverbs 5.21 "…the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord and He watches all his paths."

Proverbs 15.3 "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good."

Hebrews 4.13 "And there is not creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with who we have to do…."

God sees our giving.

He saw the hypocritical giving of Ananias & Sapphira and was displeased (Acts 5.1-11).

He saw the sacrificial giving of the Macedonians and was pleased. (2.Corinthians 8.1-5)

Jesus scrutinized the giving in the temple 2000 years ago and He still is viewing! He is watching US and our giving! He knows. We do not fool him. He seems what we prioritise.

Guidelines to giving:

2.Corinthians 9.6-8 -sow sparingly = reap sparingly / sow bountifully = reap bountifully

-each one give as he purposes in his heart
-not grudgingly or of necessity
-God loves a cheerful giver. God is able to make all abound!

1.Corinthians 16.1-3 -first day of the week

-each lay by as he has prospered
-collection for the saints

2.Corinthians 8.5 they first gave themselves to the Lord

deep poverty abounded in riches of their liberality

Conclusion: 

What about your giving? What would Jesus say after watching you? Realise you have a responsibility as a part of this congregation! All must help bear the burden!

Vorige