We continue in Mark for our Summer Reading Challenge of 2022. Today’s reflections from Mark chapter 12, address the way that God sees or “weighs” my sacrifices.
- Mark chapter 12 has 5 main movements: (1) Jesus’ parable of the Tenants (12:1-12); (2) Jesus’ teaching regarding taxes (12:13-17); (3) Jesus is questioned by the Sadducess about the resurrection (12:18-27); (4) Jesus is questioned further by the scribes (12:28-40); and (5) Jesus observing a widow’s offering (12:41-44).
- While there are indeed some amazing things regarding Jesus’ application of Scripture to Himself in Mark 12, as I was reading the passage, I was particularly encouraged by the widow’s offering – and so, today’s episode will focus on this segment.
PART 1: THE WORLD’S SCALES
- Mark 12:41-42 begin with giving us an objective observation, quite simply reporting what he – and his disciples – could plainly see. It says,
- “And [Jesus] sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.”
- Reading these verses in isolation, we can probably identify with this. There are folks who are wealthy, and when they give to charitable causes in general, or to the church in particular, we look at the amounts they give, and it is impressive!
- Now, as a side note, in this particular account, Jesus is not condemning the generosity of the wealthy. He would, however, condemn the manner in which people give — consider the sermon on the mount. You can be wealthy and give in a manner that honors the Lord! And you can be poor and give in a manner that does not!
- But we come back to this text, when we see some of the tremendous amounts of money that people give to causes, and we look at the very little we have to offer, we might be tempted to use “the world’s scales” to weigh the significance of our gift. And in doing so, we see that our gift is a fraction of a fraction – and we might be tempted to think, what is the point? My friend, this applies to more than just money. This applies to time, service, talents, anything that is uniquely yours to give!
- And it is a good thing that we have the opportunity to hear Jesus’ comments – in contrast to using “the world’s scales,” we have a chance to hear about “the Lord’s scales”…
PART 2: THE LORD’S SCALES
- Mark 12:43-44 read,
- “And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
- If we see this in a good light, the wealthy were giving to the Lord out of their surplus — they had more than enough to go around, and whatever extra they had, they gave it to the Lord — or perhaps in worse light, whatever spare change they had, they threw it to the Lord like we might leave a few coins for a panhandler… In either light – whether it be giving with good motive or giving as an afterthought — either way, the gifts that the wealthy were giving far exceeded the offering the widow has given.
- And yet, Jesus says that this poor widow has given more than anyone else. And the reason for that is that she “put in everything she had.”
- According “the world’s scales” — this widow’s gift would never be celebrated at a donor’s banquet. She will not get any kind of honorable mention for her contributions. And if her aim was that, she never would have given in the first place. Her aim was to worship the almighty living God who is worthy of her everything — and so regardless of whatever size of the other large gifts being put in the box, she came and gave. She gave not for others to evaluate the amount of her gift. She gave her gift – of everything she had for the Lord. And according to “the Lord’s scales,” her penny is worth more than all the other gifts!
- My friend! This brings both comfort and conviction!
- These words bring comfort in this — when the Lord looks at my offering (whether that be money, or ability, or talents, or time, etc.) he looks to see if it is my all… And even though I may not have the same amount of money, or abilities, or talents, etc, Of what I do bring, when I am bringing my all — that little gift to the Lord will be far more valuable to Him than the world can ever imagine.
- These words bring conviction in this — I cannot “pay off” the Lord. I may have all the wealth in the world, but if my heart is not right in bringing my offering to God, my gift can be empty.
Conclusion:
- So my friend, let me encourage you and challenge you today. Do not be discouraged from giving of yourself to the Lord because of what you see other people doing. For myself, that is part of why I am doing this YouTube channel. While there are some others out there who have more time, better equipment, and are far more creative than me — with what I do have, I will give my all to the Lord! So, what about you? What has the Lord put in your heart and mind to do for him? No matter how small or seemingly insignificant it may seem? Do not let “the world’s scale” determine what you bring to Him! So what is the Lord leading you to do? If you are comfortable with it, Let me know in the comments below! I would be happy to pray for you and encourage you in your endeavors!