A WIDOW'S OFFERING

Passage: Mark 12:38-44

Key verse: 44

NIV

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.(A) 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

The Widow’s Offering(B)

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put(C) and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”(D)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Beware of the Scribes

38 (A)And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and (B)the places of honor at feasts, 40 (C)who devour widows' houses and (D)for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

The Widow's Offering

41 (E)And he sat down opposite (F)the treasury and watched the people (G)putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two (H)small copper coins, which make a penny.[a] 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, (I)this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her (J)poverty has put in everything she had, all (K)she had to live on.”

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Footnotes
  1. Mark 12:42 Greek two lepta, which make a kodrantes; a kodrantes (Latin quadrans) was a Roman copper coin worth about 1/64 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Watch out for the teachers of the law (38-4 ) Jesus warned against the hypocritical teachers of the law. It's because they loved themselves more than God and man's recognition more than God's. They used God and their God-given authority and position for their own honor and riches, instead of glorifying God and loving widows and poor neighbors as themselves. Instead, they only pretended to love God and love their neighbors. In reality, they deceived others by their hypocritical prayers. They took advantage of widows. Jesus warned that such people would be punished the most by God who can see man's inner motives. 2. She has put in more than the rich (41-44) People might have praised the rich who threw large sums of money making a big sound in the offering box. They ignored and despised the widow and her several coins. But Jesus revealed that God knows the widow's heart. She loved God and obeyed his command to love God and her neighbor more than herself. She could pour in everything she had with great faith that God would take care of her future when she sought God first.

Prayer: Lord, help me not to use you for my glory but use all for your glory and to love my neighbors. Help me offer like the poor widow!

One Word: Love God and love your neighbor.