41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” (Luke 12:41-44)
The Discipline of Stewardship certainly speaks to an attitude of the heart much like the other disciplines. Jesus not only lived the Disciplines but he also honored people who were similarly inclined. Today’s passage tells an amazing story about stewardship. The story places the poor widow in the prestigious group of people whose actions were publicly commended by Jesus.
Please read the passage and answer the questions below.
Today’s Questions:
- What key principle(s) of stewardship do you believe Jesus honored in this powerful story?
- Do you consciously think about the fact that Jesus also watches your giving and other acts of stewardship?
March 11, 2016 at 3:15 am
To me Jesus honoured her complete dependence on God – she was happy to rely on God to meet her needs, and not cling to any material possessions regardless of the extent of her physical needs. This was her faith in action. It is tempting to think that she may have felt that her little would never be enough so she had might as well give it away and hope for the best, easy, but that would be missing the point I think – the truth is that if we believe that, then we subscribe to the view that it is our riches that meet our needs, which is deception. It’s “all His stuff!” Even we are. Her giving reflected that belief, and so should ours.
In announcements last Sunday at church, someone likened our giving to that of a child presenting his/her mother with a hand-made Mother’s Day gift, full of excitement for the giving and to see the mother’s reaction of joy – what a beautiful picture of how we are to bring our tithes and offerings.
March 11, 2016 at 5:01 am
I think Jesus honored the fact that this woman gave out of obedience and faith. Unless an individual has already made the decision to set aside what is God’s first, it is human nature to think about the bills that need to be paid, the groceries that need to be bought, etc. before they think of tithing. This woman gave, despite the fact that she was giving everything she had.
I know that God is aware of what I tithe. I find it to be an honor in itself to give back to God. I am well aware that the only reason I am able to give back is because He has blessed me by giving me enough to be able to give back.
March 11, 2016 at 8:40 am
Jesus honored the woman’s willingness to give. She could have reasoned that this is all she has. Jesus honors or willingness in stewardship of giving. There has to be a willingness to our stewardship, no matter how much we have. Our time, our thoughts, our love, our fellowship, our resources. Our willingness and dependency should be shown in all these and other areas, and not because we don’t have anything better to do with them.
I’ve seen 2 Corinthians 9:6 (and other similar verses) played out in my life numerous times.. (But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully).