The Widow Who Gave All She Had

Mark 12:41-44

Introduction: Don’t wait until you have plenty to start giving.

Background: Condemnation of scribes who sought public recognition and pretended to be

devoted to God. These scholars, or gatekeepers of the law, are both proud and oppressive. Jesus

speaks of the danger of pride (avarice), greed, and even exploiting needy widows. Hans Bayer

states, “[Here], Jesus does not separate devotion to God from individual moral conduct or social

justice.” Devotion and deeds of mercy go hand in hand.

• This passage highlights a deliberate teaching (didactic) moment from Jesus for His

disciples. In sharp contrast to the selfserving greed of the scribes, Jesus sets before them

the striking generosity of the poor widow.

• Setting – The Court of women (show on screen) and the thirteen trumpet-shaped boxes

for offerings (brass treasure chests).

The poor widow gives us a simple yet powerful picture of how to live by faith in confusing,

anxious times. She trusted God even when her situation was marked by uncertainty and injustice.

Genuine and cheerful giving grows out of that kind of faith. It is never forced or manipulated.

And the way we give, especially with our money, often exposes the true condition of the heart

more clearly than almost anything else.

I. Jesus is watching

Jesus sees people. He sees not only their actions but also their motives. What a divine insight.

• George MacDonald _ “When we feel as if God is nowhere, He is watching over us

with an eternal consciousness, above and beyond our every hope and fear.”

• Paradoxically, it is the widow who is meant to benefit from temple offerings. “Copper

coins” (lepta) represent the lowest currency denomination, with a value of a fraction

of a cent. “Two lepta could purchase about a handful of flour, or the equivalent of one

meager meal (Longman/Garland, 913; Evans, 283).

Jesus’ piercing eyes landed on what?

Mark 12:41 (ESV) – “And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting

money into the offering box.”

Mark 12:41 (PJD) – “And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched “how” (πῶς) the

people were putting money into the offering box.”

A. Note, we should not automatically assume that Jesus disapproved of the offerings of the

wealthy (R. Kent Hughes).

B. Give not because people notice, but because Jesus notices. Your name may never appear

on a (published) donor list, you may never receive a plaque, or pose for a picture with

needy children, BUT you can be sure that Jesus sees every act of faith. You give not to

get, but because you trust that our Triune God never forgets His people’s obedience.

Week after week, in the quiet faithfulness of our church, a simple gift from the heart may

not make headlines in Randolph, in New Jersey, or anywhere else in the world. But it

draws the attention of the One who made the world. Jesus is watching.

II. Jesus applauds the widow who gives more than those who give a substantial sum.

In Scripture, widows are viewed as among the most vulnerable members of society and

the OT repeatedly warns against exploiting them:

Exodus 22:22 - “…You shall not mistreat any widow”

Malachi 3:5 – “…I will draw near for judgment… against those who oppress the

hired worker, the widow and the fatherless…”

See how Jesus reinforces these prophetic warnings by speaking of the scribes who “devour

widows’ houses” (Mark 12:40). The scribes have the habit of sponging on the hospitality of

people of limited means (Tremper Longman III and David Garland).

A. The widow is poverty-stricken (probably dressed in worn and tattered clothing, in

contrast to the fashionable attire of religious leaders and wealthy individuals.). R.

Kent Hughes beautifully described the widow, “A rare flower in a desert of

official devotion, and her beauty made his [Jesus] heart rejoice.”

B. She gives everything (out of love, living out the Shema: Mark 12:28-31) – “All

that she had to live on” (Mark 12:44). Her gift was greater in proportion; “The

means of the giver and the motive are the measure of true generosity”

(Longman/Garland, 913; Plummer, 290).

C. Giving everything means she must trust utterly in God’s provision.

D. The rich give from their abundance, what they can spare. They give from their

excess.

Take note of John Calvin’s remarks:

“The lesson is useful in two ways. The Lord encourages the poor, who appear to

lack the means of doing well, not to doubt that they testify to their enthusiasm for

Him even with a slender contribution. If they consecrate themselves, their offering

which appears mean and trivial will be no less precious than if they had offered all

the treasures of Croesus. On the other hand, those who have a richer supply and

stand out for their large giving are told that it is not enough if their generosity far

exceeds the commoners and the underprivileged, for with God it rates less for a

rich man to give a moderate sum from a large mass, than for a poor man to

exhaust himself in paying out something very small.”

Conclusion:

1. Anything you truly love and invest yourself in will cost you something.

2. When it comes to giving, the posture of the heart makes all the difference.

3. God can use what you have and what you can give.

4. And the poor widow ultimately points us to Christ Himself. Just moments after she

placed her two small coins into the temple treasury, Jesus was preparing to offer a far

greater gift, His own life. He deposited the priceless treasure of His blood into the

treasury of heaven, fully satisfying the Father and securing salvation for all who trust in

Him. Because Christ gave everything for us, our giving, whether large or small, becomes

an act of worship that glorifies the Father and strengthens His church.