God's economy

Mark 12:38-13:13 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, ³⁹ and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, ⁴⁰ who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.”

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.”

13 As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” ² And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.”

³ As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, ⁴ “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?” ⁵ And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. ⁶ Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many. ⁷ When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. ⁸ For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

⁹ “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. ¹⁰ The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. ¹¹ When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. ¹² Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. ¹³ You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

In today’s text it says:   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. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 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; 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.”     Because this account follows Jesus rebuke of the hypocrisy of the religious elite, many people assume that this too is a critique of the many rich people who put in large sums of money. That misses the point. Jesus did not condemn the rich people. Instead He sought to change the mind set of His disciples, so that they would not focus only on the amount of the gift, but rather the heart of the giver. What is lost by our society and culture in the account of the poor widow is how God’s economy differs from the economy of the world. The poor woman was not begging from the rich. She was not seeking gain from their excess. Instead she was giving from what she had and trusting God for her blessings and provisions. She understood that depending on others would not change her standing in society, but trusting in God would change her position in the kingdom. She was honored above those who gave much larger gifts.   

There are scriptural guidelines for giving, but more important than adhering to rules and regulations, giving out of compulsion or obligation, is giving out of a pure heart. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 says:   Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.    This principle of sowing and reaping also applies to what we do, how we serve God and others. Whether in finances or time and talents it is impossible to out give God. He has no need of our money, but rather promises that those who are faithful in small things will be given more. God doesn’t need our service, but He has granted us the privilege of working with Him.      God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.   Working and serving the church is a good and noble thing. Volunteering and helping in the community and through other organizations is also good. But just as with the poor widow, it is our heart in what we give and do that God is really concerned with. Are we giving and serving out of obligation, for the honor and recognition of people or are we giving and serving God seeking only His blessing? In truth if we are disciple of Christ, if we are following Him, then Colossians 3:23-24 should be our guide.     Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.     Many people who work and serve the church faithfully become burned out, with little or nothing left to give. Working with and serving Christ is different. In Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus says:    “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”   Jesus gives us rest, not as we slumber, but rather as we yoke ourselves to Him, working with Him. Not only does God give us more as we give to Him, but if we work with Jesus, doing what God the Father shows Him, Jesus will do the hard work. We will be rested not weary.   

In today’s text Jesus also gives us another reason why our motivation should be to serve God and His kingdom, not man. He says:  “You will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”     The world will not repay the good that we do, the love that we give in the name of Christ, with love. Jesus says: "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)   The world repaid the love and good that Jesus did with rejection and hatred. We really can expect no different outcome if we are yoked to Him. His promise to us though is: “the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ; precious Holy Spirit thank You for all You did, all You do and the abundance of Your blessings. Thank You for the privilege of being able to work with You. I choose to do all that I do as unto You, not seeking the blessing or recognition of man, but for Your glory. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth, in and through my life, as it is in heaven.   Amen.