A Certain Poor Widow

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.

Here it is, Palm Sunday, the day that represents Jesus being ushered into Jerusalem on a colt, people throwing palm leaves on the ground before him. They welcomed Him, not for who He was, it was for what Jesus could do for them. Like so many people today, they wanted to get more than they wanted to give. We want to go to church at our convenience and for what we can get out of going. Some people actually go to worship the Holy Trinty. Others go so they can be seen, they give so that others will think, “wow, look at what they gave.”  How many of us actually ask Jesus how much we should give?

So many people state that the Bible says to give 10% and that is all they give, and not one penny more. Here in these verses, we see where God is pleased when we give more than the 10%, because then we are giving more than what is required.

Years ago, I heard of one denomination that gave every church member a box of offering envelopes with the amount printed on them that was to be given. God does not do us that way. He wants us to give willingly and not because we have to. Am I saying that we are to give our all? Not unless God tells you to. If you give because someone states you are to give a certain amount, then you are not giving what God wants you to.

C.I. Wilson

Precious Lord, I ask that You talk to Your children about what they are to give. Not just money, but their time as well. Bless those who give willingly to You of their time and finances. Lay upon us the desire to ask what You would have us to do, to gi