TGIF
“And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box.
Many rich people put in large sums.
And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.
And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.
For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.””
(Mark 12:41–44 ESV)
We all love this story about the humble, faithful widow who gave all she had in front of God alone.
It tells us that however small the world thinks we are, we matter to God.
It reminds us that God can use the little we have to great effect.
It affirms for us that Jesus sees our works and our hearts as they are, even if others don’t.
Jesus sees, He knows, He cares, you matter.
Great story, great lessons…with one small problem.
Jesus told us about this saint of a woman and how she touched His heart…but there is no record that He ever told her.
To me, the story should end with Jesus gathering up the disciples, finding this woman in the temple, telling her what He told us…and taking her out to a nice lunch.
That’s not what happens.
The story really ends with a lonely woman disappearing into the crowd, completely broke with only her faith to sustain her.
Her obedience and faithfulness cost her everything with no evident gain.
God was with her, but she only knew that by faith.
She probably never knew the impact of what she had done in the sight of God until she was home with Him.
You probably won’t either.
We usually don’t hear “well done” until we’re done, period.
Like this woman we have to walk by faith believing that He sees, He knows, He cares, and we matter.
Like this woman, our circumstances may affirm none of the above truths.
They are true, anyway.
I believe, help my unbelief.
Make your own application…
Amen!
Good Morning Michael, how’s Trey?
Best I’ve ever read on this passage. Well done.
PN,
He’s feeling better this morning…got some solid food in him and he’s not as inflamed as he’s been.
Thanks for asking, my friend.
Thank you, B. Dave…it’s a different take, but I think it applies.
Those disciples, men & women who were following Jesus around, they were part of the same community as the poor widow.
Knowing how this faith thing works, I have faith that she didn’t remain nameless and faceless, it’s just that “the rest of the story” unfolded in secret, Just as Jesus intends according to what he told His followers on how to do good and give.
Jesus’ impact on His followers wasn’t merely cerebral, knowing the impact of God within community, He has a subversive effect on His people…
…they loosen up
…they rediscover resources they overlooked minutes ago
…a few individuals actually get off their butts and reach out and make a difference
…they write songs of vision & encouragement and provoke others to sing
“I Lived” (written for his child)
Hope when you take that jump
You don’t fear the fall
Hope when the water rises
You build a wall
Hope when the crowd screams out
They’re screaming your name
Hope if everybody runs
You choose to stay
Hope that you fall in love
And it hurts so bad
The only way you can know
Is give it all you have
And I hope that you don’t suffer
But take the pain
Hope when the moment comes
You’ll say…
[Chorus]
I, I did it all
I, I did it all
I owned every second
That this world could give
I saw so many places
The things that I did
Yeah, with every broken bone
I swear I lived
Hope that you spend your days
But they all add up
And when that sun goes down
Hope you raise your cup
I wish that I could witness
All your joy and all your pain
But until my moment comes
I’ll say…
[Chorus]
I, I did it all
I, I did it all
I owned every second
That this world could give
I saw so many places
The things that I did
Yeah, with every broken bone
I swear I lived
[Bridge]
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Oh
Oh
Yeah, with every broken bone
I swear I lived
Yeah, with every broken bone
I swear I lived
[Chorus]
I, I did it all
I, I did it all
I owned every second
That this world could give
I saw so many places
The things that I did
Yeah, with every broken bone
I swear I lived
[Outro]
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Oh
Oh
Michael,
Thank you for going for sharing the meat, not just the milk on this one. Won’t say why, I think you already know.
Ah yes, the bible story that convinced me it was better to give just a mite to my church instead of larger sums. 🙂
Linda,
Thank you…I hope it encouraged you to keep on keeping on, my friend.
You matter!!! (((Hugs)))) 🙂
Once again my heart sings and weeps, all at the same time . Beautiful ! Thank you, Michael.
Thank you, Nonnie.
Dusty, I hope everyone who reads this comes away knowing they matter to God.
I matter. I matter…Nonnie, Sis and you are helping me to believe that….
Nonnie you matter to me too!
Michael I hope you know how much you matter to me.
What is this painting and who is the artist?
I live the detail work of what I can see.
Although, I’ve always thought (or been taught) the woman was old and poor and not that she was so beautiful.
Still would like to see the whole image.
Dusty,
I know…
London,
I’ll see if I can find out.
The most interesting think about the art made around this widow is that many of the paintings show her with children…
London.
http://galleryone.com/fineart/sculpture_figurines/CHRWI1.html
A salute and “thank you” on this 70th anniversary of D-Day. If the Allies hadn’t turned WWII around, we might all be Nazis today.
Scroll about 2/3 of the way down and see the look on a French D-Day vet.
http://theobamadiary.com/
Thanks Michael. Looks like that’s the whole image then.
If it were “realistic” though all the old guys would be fussing all over that widow. She’s much too young and beautiful for this story 😉
Good word Michael. Going to chew on this one for a bit.
I’m guessing that there were many “young ” widows in those days .
Anonymous @ # 19 wrote:
A salute and “thank you” on this 70th anniversary of D-Day. If the Allies hadn’t turned WWII around, we might all be Nazis today.
The Allies entered the land conflict in the West only after it was assured that the Wehrmacht in the East was finished. The Russian people bore the heaviest brunt of the cost in defeating Hitler. Don’t get me wrong, I too salute all our vets, I’m one myself, but fact is fact, it was Russia that did the lion’s share.
I just realized. One of those Pharisees in the art looks like Gimli the dwarf almost.
LOL. I was seeing them as dwarves as well.
What a deeply beautiful truth you have highlighted from this passage …….thank you
Dusty-
You matter a great deal!
You have made a significant difference; a positive encouraging influence to so many lives your sweet spirit has encountered
There have been more than a few days when I thank our Lord That He brought our paths alongside one another…
If you live by conscience and not by convention then you will likely have some problems. Most ministers do not end their ministry in honor but in dishonor and shame. That is not directly what is being talked about here but it comes to mind.
Having been a baptist and left them after ‘going charismatic’ there is no where that I have served that would welcome me with open arms. They are, justifiably, skeptical and offended at the changes. My ministries were without scandal, without rancor, without divisiveness and with a varying amount of ‘success’ or if you will, effectiveness.
Nevertheless, those churches do not view me as having been a man to honor. So at 60 I serve a church that I founded. It is the only possibility of finishing well. The truth is that most of us who are older, serve too long, are unaware of our fading impact and helpfulness and leave because …well… we simply are done. “He stayed too long” is the common refrain.
Better do this for Jesus, better do this because you must, better do this without expectation of appropriate reward. Most stories are like the woman, you pay the price and go your way. And when you are gone you have the LORD as your reward.
Musing aloud. Sometimes I shouldn’t. Sometimes it just looks foggy and cloudy and damp even in the sunshine.
BD,
Your musings always have substance…this was no exception.