Giving Much Doesn’t Require Having Much

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The rich and distinguished people in Jesus’ day believed that their worldly affluence provided them with divine acceptance. When Jesus praised a poor widow’s offering, He revealed that the heart of giving is more important than the amount of giving.

Mark 12:35-44

35 And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?36 David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
    until I put your enemies under your feet.”’

37 David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?”And the great throng heard him gladly.

38 And in his teaching, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,40 who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums.42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.43 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.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.”

Being Much [Mark 12:35-37]

  • After the numerous religious leaders’ questions, Jesus stumps them with a question of His own.
  • How could the coming Messiah be David’s son and yet David’s Lord at the same time?
  • If Jesus truly is Lord, then every action and motivation done in His name should be evaluated.

Having Much [Mark 12:38-40]

  • Beware of religious people who seek praise, position, or prominence.
  • Those who attempt to impress with spiritual lingo but fail to show sincere compassion have a worthless religion.
  • Religious imposters will incur a stricter condemnation.

Giving Much [Mark 12:41-44]

  • It is either a comforting or terrifying realization that Jesus knows what we give and why we give it.
  • The heart of giving is more important than the amount of giving.
  • All of our investments will either be the stuff of future garage sales or forever Kingdom stories.