Bible Reading: Judges 13; Acts 17; Jeremiah 26; Mark 12
Mark 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
To teach his disciples he sat near the treasury and beheld how people cast money in. It was apparent that rich people cast much money in. Jesus was simply observing what was going on and I wonder if he still does the same thing today. You can tell a lot about a person by looking at their checkbook. What do you spend your money on? Do you invest it in the kingdom of heaven?
Mark 12:42-44 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
It is not that Jesus was rebuking the rich. They were bringing in their tithes and offerings to the house of God. Jesus was comparing the rich and a poor widow. If you have $100 and you give $10 that is a tenth, or the tithe. However, this woman only had two mites and she gave both of them. She gave all that she had. Why would she do that? She wanted to honor the Lord with her substance.
Proverbs 3:9-10 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
This poor widow was showing that her trust was in the LORD. Honoring God was her first priority because obviously she knew that those two mites were given to her by God in the first place. She also believed in doing what she could. She did not say that two mites was so little that it was not worthy to bring to the house of God. A bunch of people who give two mites adds up! She was not an idolater! She was worshipping and serving God and the false god Mammon did not have a hold on her.
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Do you think that God took care of that widow? I do. She trusted God, not money. She was free from the love of money and she showed it by her love for God. I am sure that God took care of her and I am sure that God will take care of you too. Trust him!
In Christ,
Rody
