Mark 12:41-44 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put 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.”
 
Mark 12:43 “If a widow can give last 2 coins in offering, is praised by Jesus; shouldn’t we give more?”
 
What is happening here?
 
Matthew 6:3-4 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
 
Mark 12:41 “Many rich people threw in large amounts.”
 
Mark 12:42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
 
Mark 12:43 “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
 
What Do we Take Home in this passage?
 
1. Jesus sees what man overlooks
 
Other gifts made a lot of noise as jingled into receptacles, but widow’s mites were heard in heaven.
 
Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.
 
2. Jesus honors what others may think is insignificant
 
Mark 12:41 How could this be, when “many rich people threw in large amounts”
 
3. Jesus Commends Generosity
 
2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Generosity, therefore is NOT the result of financial abundance, but rather open handed living
 
4. Jesus condemns abuse of the poor
 
James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
 
Open-handed people find joy in generosity
 
Acts 20:35 “it is more blessed to give than receive.”
 
We are never more like God than when we GIVE. Let's live open-handed lives.