This series reviews instances where Jesus commended either individuals or groups, clarifying circumstances, identifying the heart intent of all and the impact on us today.
Jesus sat “opposite the place where the offerings were put” (v. 41) and watched how the people were giving: whether casually or carefully, grudgingly or cheerfully, the least possible or the most possible. He still does this. He notices whether we give out of duty, or as a thank-offering to the Lord who has given so much to us. How a Christian gives to the Lord is a real and true index of that Christian’s heart and character. What a difference it would make if before we gave to the Lord we would realize that we are under the gaze of the One who still sits “opposite the place where the offerings were put”, and who’s eyes are as a flame of fire (Revelation 1:14).
In v. 41 we read that “many rich people threw in large amounts”, and in v. 44 “they all gave out of their wealth”. In Bible times the method of giving was for people to come and offer their gifts publicly, and often they did it with a great deal of demonstration. There was much applause when the gifts were large, and less when the gifts were smaller. How marvelous to be able to give a large gift to the Lord. What a blessing it is when those who are entrusted with wealth are good stewards! The Lord’s work has benefited all down the years through wealthy Christians who have given generously demonstrating discipline, devotion and obedience.
In v. 42 we are told that “a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins worth only a fraction of a penny.” The actual monetary value of her gift was very small indeed (1/8 of a cent in USD), so small that we may well imagine the crowds probably did not even notice her gift. However, she received great praise from the lips of the Lord Himself. How gracious was His word of commendation! Many thought her gift was too small to count, but Jesus saw it as the greatest offering that had been given that day. Her gift teaches us that there are no excuses for not giving. We may say that our income is too small or that the church does not really need our money; but the instruction is to first set aside that which belongs to Him – which is His due! (2 Corinthians 8:5).
Mark 12:44: “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.”
See vv. 43-44. How different is heaven’s arithmetic from ours! To Jesus, the quality of the giving counts far more than the actual quantity that is given; and the example that Jesus used in teaching generosity was not of the person who was rich and had plenty, but of a woman who was poor and had next to nothing. The Lord commended her for the quality of her giving, and said she gave more to God than anyone else that day! The others “all gave out of their wealth”, meaning they had plenty left over for themselves, whereas “she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.” Her gift was far greater than the others in Heaven’s terms! But God is never a debtor to His children, and if they will honor Him with their substance, making their love-gifts generous and their offerings regular, they can be quite sure that all their needs will be met according to God’s promise (Philippians 4:19).
This widow actually gave her all; Jesus says so in v. 44: “She, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.” As a Christian I need to recognize that, so far as possessions and money are concerned, all of it belongs to the Lord. My house, my children, my money, my car – these are not mine, but His. I am a trustee, a steward. How does this conviction apply to money? If I recognize that all I have belongs to the Lord, I shall not say, “How much shall I give to Him?” but rather, “How much of the Lord’s money would He want me to keep for my own needs?””
This poor woman so loved the Lord that she gave “all she had to live on”. That was true generosity, giving to the point of sacrifice. It was real faith – for it takes real faith to give all and then to trust God for further provision. But the secret of the whole matter, surely, is that she was giving to the Lord – not to the temple, but to the Lord Himself. As she dropped her tiny, yet magnificent gift into the treasury, her heart was saying, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15)!
