From Mark Copeland... The Widow’s Mites (Mk 12:41-44)

                     

                      The Widow’s Mites (Mk 12:41-44)

INTRODUCTION

1. Teaching in the Temple (on Tuesday of the Last Week), Jesus
   addressed...
   a. The doctrines of the religious leaders
   b. The practices of the religious leaders

2. At the end of the day, with the last incident of His public ministry,
   Jesus...
   a. Observed people putting money into the treasury of the temple
   b. Made an observation about the contribution of one poor widow

[Jesus had just warned against pretentious scribes who "devour widows’
houses" (Mk 12:40).  In contrast, consider the remarkable example of one
poor widow...]

I. THE NARRATIVE

   A. PUTTING MONEY IN THE TEMPLE TREASURY...
      1. Jesus observed people placing money in the treasury - Mk 12:41
      2. This may have been one of 13 receptacles, in the area known as
         The Women’s Court
      3. These receptacles were marked, indicating how the money would
         be used (temple tribute, wood, sacrifices, incense, etc.)

   B. THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE RICH...
      1. Many who were rich gave large amounts - Mk 12:41
      2. That in itself was commendable, reminiscent of the first
         contributions for the tabernacle - cf. Exo 35:20-29; 36:2-7

   C. THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE WIDOW...
      1. One poor widow threw in two ‘mites’ (Grk., leptos) - Mk 12:42
      2. Worth a ‘quadrans’ (Grk., kodrantes), which was 1/64th of a
         ‘denarius’ (a day’s wage)
      3. If a day’s wage was $25, a ‘quadrans’ would be worth 75 cents,
         a ‘mite’ 40 cents

   D. THE OBSERVATION OF JESUS...
      1. The widow gave more than all who had given to the treasury - Mk 12:43
      2. They gave out of their abundance, she gave all she had, her
         entire livelihood - Mk 12:44

[Jesus was so impressed, He called His disciples.  He stressed the
importance of His observation by prefacing His remarks with "Assuredly,
I say to you".  In the spirit of His observation, here are...]

II. SOME OBSERVATIONS

   A. A LESSON FOR DISCIPLES...
      1. Note that Jesus "called His disciples to Himself" - Mk 12:43
      2. This indicates that the teaching was intended for them and for
         all subsequent disciples - J.A. Brooks (NAC)
      -- What can we learn from the example of the widow’s mites?

   B. THE VALUE OF A GIFT...
      1. It is well to remember that God measures giving, not by what we
         give, but by what we keep for ourselves; - R.A. Cole (TNTC)
      2. The value of a gift is not the amount given, but the cost to
         the giver. - J.R. Edwards (PNTC)
      3. God measures the gift by the sacrifice involved (cf. 2Sa 24:24). - A. Black (CPNIVC)
      4. The Lord estimates giving by our motive, our means, and by how
         much we have left. This is a great encouragement to those who
         have few material possessions, but a great desire to give to
         Him. - Believer’s Bible Commentary
      -- We learn that the liberality of the poor is often greater than
         that of the rich!

   C. THE IMPORTANCE OF A PERSON...
      1. What matters in God’s sight is not what a person has
      2. But the devotion which causes one to give even at great
         personal cost
      3. Thus even the poorest of the poor can be "rich" (in faith)
         - cf. Jm 2:5
      -- We learn that people should be measured by their faith, not
         their wealth!

   D. THE APPROVAL OF VOLUNTARY POVERTY...
      1. Many today would criticize the widow
         a. For not providing for her future
         b. For her lack of foresight and prudence
         c. For becoming dependent upon Israel’s welfare system -  cf.
            Deut 24:19-21; 26:12-13
      2. Yet her voluntary poverty is just one example found in the
         Scriptures
         a. Jesus chose a life of voluntary poverty - Lk 9:58
         b. He counseled some to do the same in their service as a
            disciple - Lk 18:22
         c. Teaching His disciples to be trust God’s providential care
            - Mt 6:31-33
      -- We learn that voluntary poverty can be a viable option for some
         disciples

   E. JESUS IS STILL WATCHING HOW PEOPLE GIVE...
      1. The ‘giving’ of Ananias and Sapphira did not go unnoticed - cf.
         Ac 5:1-11
      2. Those who give liberally and cheerfully will be noticed - e.g.,
         2Co 8:1-5; 9:6-7
      3. Just as all that we do is noticed by God - He 4:13
      -- We learn that our giving does not escape the careful eye of our
         Lord!

CONCLUSION

1. The story of the widow’s mites should prompt prayerful reflection...
   a. Regarding our own giving to the Lord’s cause, to charity
   b. We may think we excel at giving, but do we really?

2. The story of the widow’s mites also prepares us for what is to come
   in Mark’s gospel...
   a. She exemplified sacrificial giving in the service of the Lord
   b. Soon we will read of the Lord who gave all in service to us!

   "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He
   was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His
   poverty might become rich." - 2Co 8:9

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Jim McGuiggan... Crisis of Confidence

Crisis of Confidence

For numerous reasons Paul's personality, experiences and his way of fulfilling his apostolic commission came under critical review. It seems clear his apostolic commission was called in question early in the game (1 Corinthians 9:1) and his character was maligned. Plummer summarizes the situation in light of 2 Corinthians, "His opponents attributed to him unspiritual and worldly motives and conduct; that he was capricious and shuffling, verbose and vain-glorious, at once a coward and a bully." No doubt things got worse as time went on but Paul was already under pressure before the second epistle. When he left after the first visit, some arrogant critics predicted he wouldn't have the nerve to come back (see 1 Corinthians 4:18-19).

The Corinthians thought Paul was gutless and wimpy

For example, they said he lacked authority because he didn't punch their lights out when they disagreed with him or misbehaved (see 2 Corinthians 1:24; 10:1). And this was why, some said, he kept changing his mind about returning to them. He was afraid to come! Of course he could write tough letters but his bodily presence was pathetic even when he did turn up (see 2 Corinthians 1:23).

The problem was made worse when (at some point) outsiders came in claiming to be apostles and exhibiting a triumphalist and overpowering approach to the assembly. An approach some (many?) preferred. See 2 Corinthians 11:20-21.

The Corinthians thought Paul cared little for them

This would be another reason he stayed away: he found other places more attractive. He said he cared and he couldn't wait to get back but other places beckoned and, 'out of sight out of mind'. He was the kind of preacher who'd cancel meetings when an engagement more prestigious or convenient or profitable was offered.

Then there was the support question. He refused to take support from them and this, so it was implied, showed he wanted no intimacy with them. It showed he wanted to remain independent of them and that he didn't love them (see 2 Corinthians 11:11 and 12:13). I've come across a few preachers who said they wouldn't take a salary from a church so they could maintain their independence. Their tone and attitude was bad. They didn't care for the brothers/sisters and wanted to feel free to walk away when it suited them.

The Corinthians thought Paul was devious, cunning and crafty

In 12:16 he quotes an accusation that he is cunning (same word as used in 11:3 of the serpent). Paul was a snake in the grass, some said. This probably explains why he uses the word phaneroo nine times in the letter and stresses his openness before God and them. He speaks of having renounced the hidden things of shame and craftiness (4:2) and having nothing to do with veils (3:18).

In this he is unlike the hero of his Jewish critics Moses. Moses (for one reason or another) was forced to veil his face to hide the fading glory of the covenantal law. Paul's ministry doesn't require that of him. The glory that Moses enjoyed and brought was found only in the presence of God and away from the eyes of people. The glory enjoyed and ministered by Paul was seen by every believer who saw the face of the Christ Paul proclaimed and reflected. See 2 Corinthians 3.

The Corinthians thought Paul, at best, was a 2nd rate apostle.

The Corinthians were keen to follow 'the big preachers'. This tendency says a lot about Corinthian pride and preoccupation with their reputation. 2 Corinthians 12:13 shows they were concerned about their image.

See the material on Paul and Antioch which might underscore their assessment of Paul as a second rater. And note the discussion about letters of recommendation and self-recommendation. See 2 Corinthians 3:1; 5:12; 10:12,18.

The crisis put the church in danger and undermined the gospel

To Paul, the outsiders who exacerbated the crisis offered another Jesus. See 2 Corinthians 11:4,13. A Jesus for whom the cross was finished and now should only be seen as glorious and exalted. This Jesus was to be paraded by triumphant messengersand Paul was far from triumphant.

What incensed Paul was not what they thought of him, but that what they thought of him was the result of the kind of gospel they offered, the kind of Jesus they proclaimed. Their kind of Jesus would not produce a career like Paul's. His was too filled with suffering, with failure, with reluctance to rip up and tear down he wasn't strong or successful enough. But Paul saw his gospel--the proclamation and embodiment of it--as intimately connected with Christ's suffering and glory, not as simply past, but as continued in Christ's Body as a whole and in his specially commissioned ambassador's.

Then too, this Pauline loss of confidence would affect the contribution to the poor saints at Jerusalem which in itself would be a tragedy and would hinder the unification of Jews and Gentiles throughout the world. This gift from the Gentile world to the Jews would have been seen by Paul as part proof of his gospel since Isaiah texts spoke of this kind of thing in eschatalogical times. See Isaiah 49:23; 60:5,10,14,16. It also fulfilled a commitment made to Peter and James which would ease any concern felt there since Paul had confronted Peter and agreed to a proposal by James that would establish Paul's love and respect for his people (see Galatians 2:1-10, 11; Acts 21:17ff).  

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Gary... Are you following the example?

My sister-in-law's dog, Buddy, has been with us for a couple of months now.  He is a very warm and loving dog- so much so, that we call him "Buddy, the love sponge."  But get him around other dogs and he barks uncontrollably and he does what both the Mer-cat and the dog in the picture are doing- except with a lot of noise.  So, I have often wondered- where did he learn to do that???  I will never know, but I wonder- did he learn from TV?  Question:  How did you learn to be the way you are?  The following passage from 1st Peter gives us a path to follow...

1 Peter, Chapter 2

  1 Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,  2 as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow,  3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious:  4 coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.  5 You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  6 Because it is contained in Scripture, 

“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, and precious:

He who believes in him will not be disappointed.”

  7  For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, 

“The stone which the builders rejected,

has become the chief cornerstone,”

  8  and, 

“a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”

For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.  9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:  10 who in time past were no people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  11 Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  12 having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.  13 Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;  14 or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well.  15 For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. 

  17  Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.  18 Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.  19 For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.  20 For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.  21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,  22 who did not sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.”  23 Who, when he was cursed, didn’t curse back. When he suffered, didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously;  24 who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.

Those who follow Jesus are his disciples (which means learners).  People can tell you about Jesus, you can see it on TV or hear it on the radio, but your safest course of action is to read your Bible.  Be like him and do everything you can to live with the attitude he had and you will do just fine.  Promise!!!!