Mark 12, 38-44

The Gospel today is from Mark’s description of the days just before Jesus is put to death. He had been teaching in the temple trying to answer the questions of the Scribes who were trying to prove that his preposterous claims were false. As modern Christians, we are perhaps a little harder on the scribes that they deserve.

They were religious leaders of their time. They dedicated their lives to a careful, disciplined study of the Word of God. They knew that Scripture was the key to understanding the mind of God. They were not “bad” people. But, they were wrong.

Instead of letting the Bible teach them, the looked for how the Bible could support their own thoughts and teachings. Instead of admitting that there were things they didn’t understand, and allow God to fill those gaps, they used the Scripture for their own thoughts, and left no room for doubt or questions. Time and time again, Jesus tries to draw them beyond their own rigid, literal interpretations of Scripture into a deeper understanding of truth. But, they would not look up from their scrolls and see the face of God standing right before them.

And so, Jesus turns from addressing his persecutors, to addressing his disciples. They are at the temple--the heart of the Jewish nation. This was the place where they could truly worship and truly be in the very presence of God. It was a holy place. There were all kinds of people who would gather here, but none were as “important” as the Scribes. They were the elite, revered for their knowledge and respected for their power. I am sure the huge crowds would part to allow these important people to pass.

But, there’s one problem with all this self-importance. The kingdom that Jesus came to proclaim is not about power, it is about service. The Kingdom of God is not about who YOU are, but who you FOLLOW. It is not about what you have, but what you give.

And so in the middle of all this noise and self-promotion, there was a quiet, small figure. A woman, alone, which meant that no one except Jesus would have noticed her. Her clothes, gray and dingy, she could not afford better. The crowds probably bumped and pushed her, as more “important donors” made their way to the offering box. Certainly, her two tiny coins barely made a sound amidst the loud crashes of sacks of money. But Jesus heard those two little coins.

And he sets this weak and pitiful widow before us, and makes her the standard for our giving. He places her above those who were the great scripture scholars and religious leaders, and all the successful wealthy and powerful that filled the temple courtyard. What can we learn from her gift?

First of all, it was everything she had. What she gave, was her life. Now as tempting as it may be to tell you to all go home, empty your back accounts and give it to the church, that’s not what I’m saying, not that I’d stop you!

The parable is NOT just about money. You see, it is not how much we HAVE, or our position in life that defines us. It is what we give, and God calls us to give our very lives. All of us. To gain life, you have to lose it. What defines who I am? Is it what I have done and what I have gained, or, is it what I give? And, is what I give just a token, or am I giving my very life? Sounds like a lot to ask, and probably more than any of us can live up to, but we must ask ourselves these hard questions and remember that no matter how much we give, we can always give more.

Giving, in the service of the Lord, is not about what we give, but about faithfulness and lavish love. It is about following a God who suffered and died, not for the benefits and prestige, but for you. You see brothers and sisters, we do not give to receive. We give, because God gives.

I cannot tell you what you have to give, what you should give, or how much to give. But, the gospel is reminding us that our true wealth does not come from what we keep, but from what we share.