I never cease to be amazed at the people Jesus put forward as role models. He said children were role models for trust (Mark 10:15); He presented a “sinful woman” as a role model for love (Luke 7:47); He no doubt scandalized His Jewish friends when He suggested a pagan soldier was a role model for faith (Luke 7:1-9). So when Jesus gave His followers a role model for generosity, He again chose the unexpected.
After some intense debates with the religious elite, Jesus was resting near the Court of the Women in the Jewish temple. Along the court’s colonnade stood 13 trumpet-shaped collection boxes, into which money was received for the temple’s needs. Jesus watched the rich throwing in their large donations. Then He observed a poor widow dropping in two lepta coins. That’s when He called His disciples together for a lesson.
“I tell you the truth,” He said, “this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions” (Mark 12:43). In literal terms this was incorrect. The lepta was the smallest valued coin of the day, amounting to one-128th of a denarius (a day’s wage). Jesus was clearly calculating value on different terms. Her offering was grand, He said, because while others gave their spare change, she gave “everything she had to live on” (Mark 12:44).
What a role model this widow is! How many of us truly give sacrificially—down to the last few cents that we own? Most of the time I hardly miss the money I give to others or place in the offering at church. I resemble the rich people Jesus was watching, not the radically generous widow.
True generosity costs something. It leaves us vulnerable, with arms outstretched to God, who alone can meet our needs. Just like a poor, humble widow.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 15:17–16:4
More:
Read Acts 14:15-17 and the parable of the vineyard workers in Matthew 20:1-16 to get a glimpse of God’s generosity to us.
Next:
When was the last time you gave money so generously that you sacrificed your own wants or needs? What need or cause is God asking you to donate to this week?
tcarr89 on September 17, 2011 at 12:14 am
Good lesson.
bobby7 on September 17, 2011 at 5:36 am
mind changing message but do you mean this literally “How many of us truly give sacrificially—down to the last few cents that we own?”
bobby7 on September 17, 2011 at 5:39 am
I guess that’s why it’s called, “radically” generous. Cause i was thinking if i want to remain a millionaire, can i be radically G?
sheridan voysey on September 17, 2011 at 5:47 am
Yes, bobby7, I meant the statement literally. That’s what this women did. A challenge to you and me both!
OnMyWayHome on September 17, 2011 at 10:27 pm
sheridan voysey you make a good point. One of he founder of Mustard Seed Foundation gave 90% of what he made to the organization and lived off the 10%. He still had millions to live from and he gave away over a billion (From what I recall).
From Albert Barnes commentary I found him to express my thoughts best:
That it is every man’s duty to make inquiry, not how much he gives, but how much compared with what he has; how much self-denial he practises, and what is the motive with which it is done.
We may remark that few practise self-denial for the purposes of charity. Most give of their abundance–that is, what they can spare without feeling it–and many feel that this is the same as throwing it away. Among all the thousands who give to these objects, how few deny themselves of one comfort, even the least, that they may advance the kingdom of Christ!
sheridan voysey on September 18, 2011 at 9:23 am
The businessman RG LeTourneau did the same thing – giving away 90% of his income and living off 10% – a ‘reverse tithe’ so to speak.
Rick Warren did something similar after the success of his Purpose Driven Life book. He repaid his church for decades of wages, started a number of charities, and committed himself to a reverse tithe.
These are excellent role models for us, even if our wealth is hardly comparable. Not everyone could physically achieve a ‘reverse tithe’ of course, but we could all learn about being more radically generous.
mike wittmer on September 19, 2011 at 2:18 pm
I am convicted by this woman’s example–still trying to figure out what it means for me. If I gave literally everything away, then I would be unable to provide for my family, which would be a sin. But I need to be much more generous than I am, which is the point. Thanks!
bobby7 on September 20, 2011 at 4:03 pm
I like this message but it is very scary because I like to have any thing I want conveniently (without praying and hoping always). But I guess when I have to pray and hope I’m leaning closer to Jehovah-Jireh.