Mark 12:41-44

In this week’s reading of the Gospel of Mark, we have a short reading from Mark 12:41-44. The passage recounts the story of the widow's offering. It contrasts external appearances of generosity with the true spirit of sacrificial giving, emphasizing that God values the heart and sacrifice behind an offering more than the amount itself. Here are the key points:

1. Jesus Observes the Offerings:

   • Jesus sits near the temple treasury and watches people give money. Many wealthy individuals donate large amounts.

2. The Poor Widow's Offering:

   • A poor widow comes and places two small copper coins into the treasury. These coins are of very little monetary value.

3. Jesus' Commentary:

   • Jesus calls His disciples to Him and explains that the widow's offering, though small in amount, is more significant than the large sums given by the wealthy.

   • He points out that the rich give out of their abundance, but the widow, in her poverty, gives everything she has, all she has to live on.

4. Lesson of Sacrificial Giving:

   • Jesus highlights the widow's act of faith and sacrifice. Her giving is considered more valuable because it reflects total dependence on God and true generosity, not the amount given but the heart behind the giving.

Knowing that we are giving out of generosity and with a true spirit of sacrificial giving involves examining both our motives and attitudes when giving. Here are a few indicators that help us discern if our giving aligns with the true spirit of generosity and sacrifice:

1. Check Your Motives

• Selfless vs. Self-serving: True sacrificial giving comes from a place of love for God and others, not from seeking recognition, praise, or reward (Matthew 6:1-4). Ask yourself, "Am I giving to serve others, or am I seeking some benefit for myself?"

• Not for Show: If your giving is done quietly, without a desire for attention, it is more likely motivated by pure generosity, similar to the widow's offering in Mark 12. Jesus criticized those who give to be seen by others.

2. Sacrifice Involved

• Is it Comfortable or Costly?: Generous, sacrificial giving often involves personal sacrifice. The widow gave “all she had to live on,” meaning she put her trust in God rather than her resources. Ask yourself, "Am I giving out of my abundance or am I willing to part with something I truly value?"

• Does it Change My Lifestyle?: If your giving doesn’t cause you to reconsider your spending or lifestyle in some way, it may not be sacrificial. Giving that stretches us helps to reveal our dependence on God, rather than our wealth or resources.

3. Attitude of Joy and Love

• Joyful Giving: Paul speaks of the importance of a cheerful heart when giving (2 Corinthians 9:7). Sacrificial giving should not feel like a burden, but something done willingly and joyfully, even if it costs something.

• Love and Compassion: True generosity stems from love and compassion for others (1 John 3:17). If your giving is motivated by genuine care for others’ well-being and the desire to support God's work, it reflects the right spirit.

4. Trust in God

• Dependence on God: Sacrificial giving often means trusting God to provide. Like the widow, when we give sacrificially, we express faith that God will take care of our needs. Ask yourself, "Am I trusting God to provide for me, or am I reluctant to give because I’m afraid of losing security?"

5. Consistency in Giving

• Not Just When It's Convenient: Generosity and sacrifice should not be occasional, but consistent, as part of a lifestyle of giving. Whether it's time, money, or talents, giving should be part of a regular pattern, not just done when it’s easy or convenient.

When our giving reflects selflessness, joy, sacrifice, and faith in God, and we’re motivated by love for others, we can be confident that it is aligned with the true spirit of generosity and sacrificial giving. It’s not about the amount, but the heart and trust behind the gift.

In God’s grip,

Pastor Chuck Church

If you are reading the Gospel of Mark with Pastor Chuck this year, below is a short and simple guide to doing so for this week:

Prayer: Heavenly Father, your words expose my innermost thoughts and desires. I am an open book before you when I read your book. May your truths work as I read of your holiness, truth, and love. May the power of your word be known in my life so that I might genuinely have the abundant life you came to give.  Amen.

Read: Mark 12:41-45

Questions to guide your thinking:

1. Am I giving out of abundance or out of sacrifice?

• Reflect on whether your giving is only from what is extra or comfortable, or if it involves true sacrifice and trust in God, like the widow who gave “all she had to live on.”

2. Do I trust God enough to give sacrificially?

• The widow’s act of giving showed immense faith. Ask yourself if you are willing to trust God to provide for your needs, even when it feels risky to give.

3. What motivates my giving?

• Are you giving to please others or gain recognition, or is your giving motivated by love, gratitude to God, and compassion for others? Consider your motives when you give.

4. Do I value the size of the gift more than the heart behind it?

• Jesus valued the widow’s small offering more than the large gifts of the wealthy because of her heart and sacrifice. Reflect on whether you focus too much on the amount rather than the spirit in which you give.

5. How can I cultivate a generous heart like the widow’s?

• The widow gave freely, despite her poverty. Ask yourself what steps you can take to develop a heart of generosity that prioritizes faith, trust, and selfless giving.