Mark 12:41-44
“He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”” Mark 12:41-44 (NRSV)
There is an allegory titled “The Chicken and the Pig” that suggests that in any project or relationship there are different levels of involvement and commitment to the situation. The analogy is that in a breakfast of eggs and bacon the chicken merely makes a contribution to the meal but the pig truly makes a sacrifice, the ultimate sacrifice.
In our verse today Jesus points out that the widow woman makes a truly sacrificial offering by giving everything she had. While the large gifts of the wealthy were surely beneficial to the cause they didn’t approach being at the same level of sacrifice that the woman demonstrated.
In the eyes of the Lord the value of the gift is not determined by the largesse of the amount but by the largesse of the spirit with which it was given. This can be seen by how cheerful we are in our giving.
Being in the midst of the November stewardship discussion allows us the opportunity to review what our commitment is to the Lord on many fronts. Certainly we are asked to give back to God in the form of a tithe, a financial commitment of the first fruits of our labors. We are to give back just a small portion of what God first gave us. What he provided for us but rightly belongs to Him.
Jesus also said that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be.” How we utilize our money shows what is important to us. But how we use our time and our skill also shows how we value those gifts. In service to the Lord and his work on Earth sounds like a good plan. Just as our church leaders plan financially for the work of the church they make plans for who and how the work we set out to do will be accomplished.
In our relationship with the triune God, Jesus has made the ultimate sacrifice with his death on the cross. But we are only asked to make a commitment. A commitment that allows us to tell the Good News and to be an example of the love of Christ through good works.
Questions for Reflection:
- Are you prayerfully considering a financial contribution to the church for 2025?
- Are you prayerfully considering a time and talent contribution to the church for 2025?
Prayer:
Good and Gracious God, We give you thanks for the gifts you have bestowed on us. Help us to understand the commitments you want us to make so we may fully utilize our time and talent and treasure in service to you and your people on Earth. Help us to understand that your Son made the ultimate sacrifice so we could have an eternal relationship with you. Amen
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