A Widow Worth Watching
A Widow Worth Watching
ReMARKable: A Study of the Gospel of Mark
Mark 12:38-44
March 28, 2021
38 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 the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
Hypocritical religion is dangerous.
Matthew 6:5
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward."
Hypocritical religion focuses on the outward appearance.
Hypocritical religion is when you have it all together... All the time...
Hypocritical religion loves public recognition.
Hypocritical religion is when you PRETEND that you don't sin...
Hypocritical religion takes advantage of the vulnerable.
Hypocritical religion is when you are the hero of the story
James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Humble giving is delightful
Mark 12:41-44
41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 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. 44 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.”
Jesus sees all things.
Jesus sees all things.
Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
Hebrews 4:13
And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
He sees when people give
He sees people when they do not give
He sees people when they do not give
2 Chronicles 16:9
9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him…”
Jesus knows all things
He knows what you give...
He knows why you give...
He knows your circumstances...
He knows your sacrifices...
1 Peter 5:7
casting all your anxieties unto Him, because He cares for you...
It's not the portion that matters, but it is the PROPORTION that matters.
Mark 12:43-44
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."
Guard your heart of private worship as it relates to outward worship, for Jesus said that it is not what is put in our bodies but what comes out that defiles us.
Stop. Learn. Listen. Observe. For in James we learn to be slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Stop. Learn. Listen. Observe. For in James we learn to be slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Are you giving what is comfortable, or are you giving what is challenging?
You may fool your friends
your small group
your mentor
your pastor
your family
but you can never fool JESUS
nothing... absolutely nothing is hidden from Christ Jesus
People want to see genuine
Christ wants to see genuine
Thank you for reading, and I pray that God blesses you in a way that can only be explained by His radical love.
Posted in Authority, Giving, Wisdom
Tagged with Giving, Sacrifice, Sacrificial Love, Hypocritical Religion
Tagged with Giving, Sacrifice, Sacrificial Love, Hypocritical Religion
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