Whose Money Is It Anyway?
Mark 12:41-44
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all that she had to live on."
By now, many readers have already hit delete. Who wants to read about giving? It is an uncomfortable topic, one that Jesus spoke more about than anything else. Why are we uncomfortable? Perhaps we know that we fall short in this area. Is your attitude about giving similar to this?
Three brothers were together talking about how much they gave to their church. The first brother drew a circle on the ground and stated that he threw all of his money into the air and whatever fell within the circle he gave to the church. The second brother stated that he did the same thing except that whatever fell outside of the circle he gave to the church. The last brother state that he threw his money into the air and whatever God wanted God could catch!
How do you decide how much to give? 10% (Mark, is that before or after taxes?), more, less, a set dollar amount? Perhaps you focus on your own needs and then give to God. Maybe you give to God first then focus on your needs. What does our text say? Jesus points out a woman who gave her literal last penny. Does this mean that we are to do the same?
I think what we are seeing here is that the focus should not be on how much we choose to give but rather how much we choose to keep. The widow gave as a sacrifice, a true reckless faith. She would now have nothing but yet did so just the same trusting that the Lord would provide for her needs. This kind of faith is easy to talk about but very hard to live.
The amount you give now, is that a sacrifice? Honestly? Are you being obedient to what God is calling you to do? Are you giving to make yourself famous? When you give a gift, do you expect a plaque or recognition?
Our giving is to be:
Regular - I Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money…
Secret - Matthew 6: 3-4 But when you do give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
How much should you give in serving God? Again, perhaps the questions should be, How much should I keep?
Blessings
Mark
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all that she had to live on."
By now, many readers have already hit delete. Who wants to read about giving? It is an uncomfortable topic, one that Jesus spoke more about than anything else. Why are we uncomfortable? Perhaps we know that we fall short in this area. Is your attitude about giving similar to this?
Three brothers were together talking about how much they gave to their church. The first brother drew a circle on the ground and stated that he threw all of his money into the air and whatever fell within the circle he gave to the church. The second brother stated that he did the same thing except that whatever fell outside of the circle he gave to the church. The last brother state that he threw his money into the air and whatever God wanted God could catch!
How do you decide how much to give? 10% (Mark, is that before or after taxes?), more, less, a set dollar amount? Perhaps you focus on your own needs and then give to God. Maybe you give to God first then focus on your needs. What does our text say? Jesus points out a woman who gave her literal last penny. Does this mean that we are to do the same?
I think what we are seeing here is that the focus should not be on how much we choose to give but rather how much we choose to keep. The widow gave as a sacrifice, a true reckless faith. She would now have nothing but yet did so just the same trusting that the Lord would provide for her needs. This kind of faith is easy to talk about but very hard to live.
The amount you give now, is that a sacrifice? Honestly? Are you being obedient to what God is calling you to do? Are you giving to make yourself famous? When you give a gift, do you expect a plaque or recognition?
Our giving is to be:
Regular - I Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money…
Secret - Matthew 6: 3-4 But when you do give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
How much should you give in serving God? Again, perhaps the questions should be, How much should I keep?
Blessings
Mark
posted by BreadBakers at 12:04 PM
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