Devotional By Robin Wiley
Mark 12:41-44
The Widow’s Offering
41 Jesus sat down across from the place where people put their temple offerings. He watched the crowd putting their money into the offering boxes. Many rich people threw large amounts into them. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins. They were worth only a few pennies.
43 Jesus asked his disciples to come to him. He said, “What I’m about to tell you is true. That poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others. 44 They all gave a lot because they are rich. But she gave even though she is poor. She put in everything she had. That was all she had to live on.”
For the Adults:
Do you ever feel like you have nothing to offer?
I can only imagine how the widow felt that day in the Temple, watching the others pass by on their way to the offering plate, dressed in their Sunday-best clothes. As she watched them donate large wads of cash to the Temple funds, making sure everyone noticed their generosity, I wouldn’t be surprised if the widow felt embarrassed and inadequate. Personally, I would have felt that way too!
All she had to offer was a tiny amount – two copper coins. In our time – that would be what people? Pennies! She offered only 2 cents! It hardly seemed worth her while. She could have held onto her money out of shame that she had nothing more to offer. She could have kept it for food or other necessities. We all know very well in these shelter-in-place times, she could have left the Temple and gone to Wal-Mart to buy some much needed toilet paper or eggs!
But instead, she chose to offer what she had. Quietly she dropped in her two little coins and went on her way – no fuss, no song and dance. It seemed that her offering went unnoticed, and I’m sure she would have preferred it that way.
But Jesus saw, and God sees the heart!
I wonder if she ever found out what He said to his disciples afterward or how He honored her gift. Because not only did Jesus see, but He knew. He knew the struggles she faced – the pain of losing her husband and the extent of her poverty. He knew exactly how much her tiny gift had cost her. In earthly terms it was insignificant, but in heavenly terms, it was treasure because she offered what she had.
For us, the struggle could be the same – with a lost job, lost wages, little $$ in the bank, even poor health and a world full of uncertainty. But God sees the heart, and He knows. He sees our struggles, and He knows the pressures we face. He knows that what might seem like a little thing to others can be a significant sacrifice for us, and He values it when we offer what we have to Him, no matter how little it may seem.
Even though this passage of scripture involves issues of monetary giving, we should make sure that the kiddos understand that there are many ways to give and be generous. Sure, giving money is good. But people can also be generous with their possessions, with their time, with their forgiveness, with the Gospel, etc. Make sure to focus on the importance of sacrificial giving in all circumstances, not merely on the generous giving of money. Sacrificial giving is parting with what we’d rather keep. It’s keeping the old and giving away the new or giving away both.
For the kiddos:
Enter:
Find a comfortable place where your family can sit together. You can ask questions like these (don’t feel the need to ask all of them!):
· What are you most generous with of yourself today:
o your time – i.e. helping Mom in the kitchen, or Dad do yard-work
o your talents – i.e. playing an instrument, drawing, singing, etc.
o your treasures (possessions) – i.e. Ninja Turtle dolls, X-Box, smart phone, _________(fill in the blank)
· What does it mean to sacrifice something to God?
· What are some ways you can give back to God right now?
Hear:
Read the Bible Passage. For younger children, a picture Bible may be used.
Pause
Take a few seconds, or maybe a minute to sit with the scripture in silence. With little ones, it may be a ten count, but we can sit still and let God’s word work!
Wonder:
· What is your most prized possession?
· Would you be willing to give it up for a stranger? For your Mom or Dad? For God?
· What does it mean to have a “happy heart”?
You may feel like you don’t have much to offer, but why not offer what you do have to God today!
Bless:
Affirm what was discussed about the story.
Create a giving basket or jar– something that represents your weekly offering place to God. Use this as a teachable moment on generosity with your kiddos.
Give a small amount of money to your offering basket or each week after watching church service. Or - give a small amount to help a good cause.
Take a few minutes to pray for someone in need, or offer a kind word or a smile to someone who could use some encouragement.
And do it for God – out of love and gratitude for all that He has offered so freely for you. He sees our little offerings and He values them, and the impact can be greater than we’ll ever know.
Praise God, Give thanks, Pray for others, confess sins, Praise God!
Example:
Father God – Thank you for all the many blessings you have given to us with our time, talents and treasures. Most importantly, thank you for everything we have in Jesus. Please help us to have a happy heart when we give back to you. Show us ways we can be more generous to others in our lives. Thank you for our family and this time together. In Jesus name – Amen!
Robin Wiley is the Minister to Families with students at First Baptist Church Weslaco. She also provides Christian Counseling and coordinates our Grief Share ministry held every Monday. Find out more about Pastor Robin here.