Mark 12:38-44
Not Just an Example
Textbook examples are good for learning. They show you exactly how something should be without any confusion. Trying to learn another language, we count on having these examples to see how a principle looks. For example, I remember when we were studying all about verbs, so the examples we would get were... well, all verbs. We wouldn’t have to question or wonder if a random word was a noun, adjective, preposition, or something else. Because it was an example of verbs, we knew they were all verbs. Yet, when we started reading regular literature, we couldn’t count on anything. Quite the opposite, we’d have to pull from all the chapters we had studied in order to make sense of it. For we learned that the neat little examples we were given didn’t match up with the messy world we lived in. It’s not that different with scripture either. Sometimes we get these really nice textbook examples. Jesus showing us and teaching us the way things are supposed to be, a perfect example. But real life isn’t an example. In fact, we often have to pull from all of Jesus’ teachings in order to wade through the confusion and make sense of it. Many try to make Jesus into an example for us. That is, we’re supposed to make our life look exactly like his. Anybody remember the phrase WWJD, What would Jesus do? Treating Jesus like an example that we must follow won’t yield the type of results people think it will. Examples may be good for learning, but not so good for conforming our life to because life is messy. There’s often more at play than one example can sum up.
As we turn to our Gospel lesson today, we get one of these textbook examples. Jesus shows us a widow who is a perfect example of how the world should work. She offers her last two coins to God without any hesitation. But lest we try to follow her example, let us learn:
THIS IS WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF US: JESUS!
I.
Two small coins is a perfect example of how we’re supposed to use our money. Giving to the church should be something done joyfully and willingly. It’s not my place to shake members down if they’re not giving and tell people to give more. Indeed, so often when we examine this poor widow, our discussion centers around stewardship. It’s all about how we handle our money and what the right attitude for giving should be. For consider the woman whom Jesus singles out, “And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. ... [and Jesus said to his disciples] ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on,” Mark 12:42-44. Why can’t we all be like her? Why can’t we be so willing to give like her? These are the normal questions that we ask... and the easiest answer isn’t a good one. You see, when we’re confronted by such a perfect example, even as this poor widow is, there’s nothing for us to see but our own failure. We don’t always give as we ought to. Sometimes our giving is more out of compulsion than joy. Sometimes, we don’t give at all because we’re struggling elsewhere. Or sometimes our giving is hindered because we do make a god out of our money.
Having said all of this, I want you to understand that Jesus isn’t giving us a stewardship example. He’s not telling us here how we’re supposed to give. For if all we’re to take from our text today is stewardship advice, then all I have to say is, I’ll never match up. Nor will you. It doesn’t matter how much or how little you give to the church. Jesus isn’t holding up this poor widow to say that we must give. No, it’s not our tithe in which we trust. Our salvation doesn’t hang on how well we tithe or if we tithe in the right manner. Quite the opposite, as was part of the issue Jesus was pointing out, that no amount of money could satisfy God, because our giving isn’t for God. It’s for our neighbor. Nowhere does God require us to give money to him for the sake of our salvation, rather He encourages us to tithe for the needs of our neighbor.
II.
When we talk about the poor widow and her mite outside the broader context, we get all the wrong ideas as to what Jesus is teaching. For let us look again at the very teaching Jesus just spoke prior, as he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation,” Mark 12:38-40. Now we notice that this widow’s offering is unique in more than one way. She gives all that she has, and she gives it all to the very people who will devour it without any care for her. It’s a sacrificial giving. It’s a Christ-like giving. Yes, the example that Jesus shows us is just a foreshadowing of what our own Lord will do for us. It’s the reckless abandon to give everything away to the very people who seek to devour it.
Don’t think that we’re capable of living up to the example of this poor widow. Don’t think that God requires this of us or that our tithe must be perfect in order to be honorable to God. No, this is what God requires of us... Jesus, His own Son. The only requirement for your salvation was the very one whom God would give to you. Jesus takes on the role of giver. Jesus gives the tithe, that is, he gives himself. He gives himself to the ones who seek out the places of honor, to those who devour widow’s houses, who seek to devour all that he has. He gives himself to us. This is the cross of Christ, the tithe of God. Jesus knew that he would give himself over to those who wouldn’t care for him, who sought to devour his very life. St. Paul writes, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich,” 2 Corinthians 8:9. Yes, Christ drops into the treasury all that he has, his body and blood, his life and spirit, his forgiveness and grace. Now, in Christ’s poverty, he gives it all to you and me so that we may be rich in his grace!
This is true stewardship, that we give not for the sake of God, but for our neighbor. We have already received from Christ all that we need even as he continues to lavish us with his love through the cross. So, may we in faith use all that we have to the best of our ability to show forth the very love and gift of Christ! In Jesus’ name! Amen!