An Act of Dependence
Scripture shows us that Jesus is always quick to identify those who are living for Him verses those who only claim to be. One of the best examples of this is found in Mark 12:41-44. In this passage, we see that Jesus is sitting and observing those who have come to give money to the synagogue. We see that there are those who are placing in large sums of money, who Jesus makes no remark towards. Until a elderly woman comes forward and places her last two coins in.
41 And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and began watching how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large amounts. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two lepta coins, which amount to a quadrans.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.”
Many will remark on this passage of scripture as a way to show that how much you donate to the church is inconsequential, it is the heart that matters. In this passage, Jesus makes the remark that the widow put in more than the others because she gave all that she owned while the others gave out of their excess. Many pastors today will teach on this passage to encourage individuals to donate to their church, no matter how much. While this isn’t a bad thing, I do not believe that this is all that the passage can teach us.
In fact, I think we need to look at the long term ramifications regarding the widow’s actions. Scripture states that she is elderly and a widow, therefore she has no husband to provide for her. We do not know if she had children who would be ensuring that she was taken care of, the only thing that scripture points out is that she gives all that she had told live on. Yes she is showing faith in God to provide for her, but it is more than that. By handing over all that she had to live on, with no identifiable way of earning more money, the widow is showing a complete dependence on God to provide. She would have no means to be able to afford food, shelter, clothing, or any necessities but this did not stop her from giving all she had to God. She was essentially saying “This is all that I have to offer, but I have no hesitation in giving it to You Lord. I know that you will provide for me, I am only giving You back what is already Yours.”
In today’s world where many rely upon savings accounts in order to feel confident to face the world, could you imagine having this kind of faith? To step out and know that God will provide with everything that you need? I pray that more Christians today take on the widow’s attitude, acknowledge that what we have is the Lord’s and He will provide for us. The Lord loves His children and will take care of them.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex