Story of the Poor Widow: Mark 12:41-44
“41) And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42) A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43) Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44) for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44
Jesus was a people watcher. In this text, He sat down on the temple grounds next to the treasury and watched the way people gave money to the work of God. You can tell a lot about people by their relationship to money.
He observed that many rich people were putting in large sums of money. They did it in such a way as to be noticed by men. Jesus did not criticize them for their giving, but He observed they were giving from their surplus. For them, it was a small offering.
Then a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins. It was a very small amount, but it was all she had to live on. For the woman, it was a huge sacrifice. It was all she owned. None but Jesus were impressed by her gift.
When Jesus observed her sacrifice, He called His disciples and commended her dedication. She was all in for God! He alone was her Master, Lord and Provider.
Paul wrote about stewardship in 2 Corinthians 8-9. I encourage you to study those two chapters. He likened giving to the law of the sower. God loves a cheerful giver. He has ways of blessing our seed for sowing and our future harvest to insanely bless kingdom work. (See 2 Corinthians 9:6-15)
His grace can abound in our lives when we practice kingdom giving. The poor widow was engulfed in Gods grace. (2 Corinthians 9:8) She lived depending on God as her Provider.
She was an example of the words of Jesus to His disciples as recorded in Matthew 10:9-10. Their money belts were to be empty so their faith accounts could be full. Jesus wanted them to tap into the miraculous grace of Divine Provision. He wanted them to experience the miracles of God taking care of His workers and supernaturally providing for kingdom ministry.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“41) And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42) A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43) Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44) for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44
Jesus was a people watcher. In this text, He sat down on the temple grounds next to the treasury and watched the way people gave money to the work of God. You can tell a lot about people by their relationship to money.
He observed that many rich people were putting in large sums of money. They did it in such a way as to be noticed by men. Jesus did not criticize them for their giving, but He observed they were giving from their surplus. For them, it was a small offering.
Then a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins. It was a very small amount, but it was all she had to live on. For the woman, it was a huge sacrifice. It was all she owned. None but Jesus were impressed by her gift.
When Jesus observed her sacrifice, He called His disciples and commended her dedication. She was all in for God! He alone was her Master, Lord and Provider.
Paul wrote about stewardship in 2 Corinthians 8-9. I encourage you to study those two chapters. He likened giving to the law of the sower. God loves a cheerful giver. He has ways of blessing our seed for sowing and our future harvest to insanely bless kingdom work. (See 2 Corinthians 9:6-15)
His grace can abound in our lives when we practice kingdom giving. The poor widow was engulfed in Gods grace. (2 Corinthians 9:8) She lived depending on God as her Provider.
She was an example of the words of Jesus to His disciples as recorded in Matthew 10:9-10. Their money belts were to be empty so their faith accounts could be full. Jesus wanted them to tap into the miraculous grace of Divine Provision. He wanted them to experience the miracles of God taking care of His workers and supernaturally providing for kingdom ministry.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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