Bible Studies
Mark 12:38-44 – Pennies for Heaven
Key Verses:(NRSV)
- 38: “As He taught, He said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes…’” – Jesus warns of religious leaders who are overly concerned with their own self-importance.
- 40: “They devour widow’s houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” – Because the money raised in the temple goes towards supporting the scribes in lush garments and plush surroundings in the name of God, Jesus teaches that they will be judged harshly by God.
- 42: “A poor woman came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.” – Many people were putting far greater sums of money into the treasury than this pittance of an offering.
- 43: “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.” – “The value of a gift is not considered by its amount but by the spirit in which it is given.”2
- 44: “For all of them have contributed out of abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” – Faith is recognizing that all you have has been given to you by God and that He will provide for your needs.
- Do you seek recognition?
Promises of the Gospel:
Not many of us will live up to the example of the widow who gives everything she has to the building of God’s kingdom. Instead, we tend to dress up in pride and self-righteousness because of the pittance we do manage to give. As we strut about in our robes of self-importance, Jesus is teaching that we will receive the greatest amount of condemnation because of our pride. Our practice of giving is the area of our faith that allows our hypocrisy to show through more than any other. The condemnation we receive as this hypocrisy grows bright comes from those outside the church and inhibits the building of God’s kingdom more than anything else we do. The widow is our model; showing us what a life of faith should look like.
2"Life Application Bible,” notes for 12.41-44, pp1716
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Wonderful article. Its true many have let material possessions become their god. It was a good reminder "The woman who gave all she had" that where your treasure is so shall your heart be.
Very good article. It is true that not many of us live up to the example provided by the poor widow. We should be humbled by this.
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