November 3, 2015

Instruction
Scripture: Mark 12:38-44
With the Triumphal Entry (recorded in Mark 11) Jesus entered the last week of His life. In that time He taught, was tested by the religious rulers of the day, and challenged those same leaders. In this text Jesus teaches about hypocrisy and generosity. He contrasts the deeds of those who do things to be seen and honored with a poor widow who gives her last bit of money. The lesson for us, especially as we deal with stewardship, is one of humble integrity and sacrificial giving.
Teaching
Jesus warned His disciples against the scribes because they were more motivated by the recognition that they received than the Word in which they were experts. It was not their faith that motivated them but the honor that they expected when they appeared in public and when they did acts of charity.
The poor widow stands in stark contrast to the scribes and the rich people putting large sums in the coffers at the temple. Her giving was done quietly, humbly. No one would take note of what she had done if Jesus hadn’t. In giving two small copper coins, she gave all she had to the Lord. That is a remarkable deed despite the small amount of money involved! It was an act of faith for her, and she put herself completely in God’s hands trusting Him to provide for her.
Life
There are many motivations for giving, and they are not all good. Recently there have been calls for the government to rescind the church’s (and other religious organizations’) tax exempt status. We might well wonder what would happen to the church’s finances if that happened.
Giving is about faith. It is an act of trust and worship. It recognizes that all that we have is a blessing God has bestowed upon us. It is motivated by love for the Giver and gratitude to Him because we see that He gave something to us that cost Him deeply. God gave us His Son to die and rise for us because He loved us so dearly, and His sacrifice moves us to give sacrificially back to God in worship.
Prayer
God, Our Father, You are honored and worshiped above all. There are those who love to be recognized and whose actions are not motivated by faith, but by their desire to be acknowledged. Yet you have set in the hearts of others a deep humility and a willingness to give humbly and sacrificially.
Thank You for the privilege of returning to You a portion of the earthly blessings You have provided for us. Thank You for recognizing and honoring the gift given in poverty – even the poverty of our own hearts and faith. Thank You for receiving the tokens we return to You in worship.
Forgive us, Lord Jesus, for our own acts of hypocrisy. Forgive us for shallow thankfulness and giving out of weak faith. Forgive us for wanting to be recognized for the generous deeds we do instead of allowing our deeds to point others to You. Forgive us for holding back from You and for our fear of giving out of poverty. Forgive us for giving only out of our abundance and in ways that require no sacrifice from us.

O Holy Spirit give us faith like the widow’s faith so we trust You with all that we have. Make us wise in giving so that we will live in a right relationship with our abundance, and we will use it as You guide us to, providing for ourselves and our families, but also as a tool for worship and an item to sacrifice. Amen.

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