Mark 12:41-44 - widow's mite

Jesus sat next to the treasury. I always picture a box with a lock on it and an opening for people to slip in an offering. I'm not sure how true that is.

Do you think Jesus knew the teaching he was about to get from being there? Certainly Jesus was always ready to find teaching material in everyday life, whenever it occurred.

This wonderful teaching moment occurred and he called his disciples over. "Come close." I admire his creativity and boldness.

Was this a new idea? This idea that God did not so much look as the amount given but the ability to pay? God was concerned more with the heart of the giver. Was this a new idea? If so it has certainly become a common idea today.

God loved her faith. She gave, not from her excess, but into her hurt. Jesus may not be able to observe who puts what in the temple treasury but God can, all the time. God sees how we give, both time and money and how are heart is. God loves a joyful giver. The one who comes to worship is to do it happily.

Jesus tells us she has nothing else. She has given all she has. We are not told how she got along that day. Hopefully God provided that day. But we know God noticed and approved of her gift. He loved her for being generous.

Is this a new idea that Jesus is giving them? This is another example of Jesus turning the world up side down. I think the disciples thought that those who gave a lot would get the most praise. In the world they would certainly. Those today who give a lot to charities get praised. They get their names prominently displayed, placed on benefactor lists with level names like Gold, Platinum, etc. Some charities might make regular large givers members of boards, committee members, give them titles.

So the disciples may not have considered it from God's point of view. But they probably assumed man's point of view was God's until Jesus explained it. Again we get an example of how God does not see things the way man does. This is very important for us to remember.

I have a lot of trouble with the person who might say, "Take it literally, give all your money away!" Such a person would also cite Jesus' advice to the rich young ruler. I do not think anyone is called to do that. I think Jesus was trying to show the RYR that he could not be righteous on his own. God asked him to do something he knew he could not do. If he had Jesus would have taken care of him. But I do not think he truly expected him to. Nor was he condemned for not doing it.

Perhaps I am lacking in faith here. I do not believe most people are called to make such an extreme sacrifice. If you feel like you are, only do it if you can do it cheerfully, with great joy. If you cannot, then I suspect you are not called to do it.