The Gospel Lesson for today from Mark 12 describes a widow who is the poorest of the poor, having to beg to survive. Yet she gave everything she had to the church. Not a tithe, not a percentage, not a portion…but everything! Two copper coins.
We are not told why. Was it out of respect? Religious convictions? Because she had no other options? Likely, it was because the woman was totally dependent on God. Her act of faith demonstrated her trust, belief and commitment to her Lord. Just imagine…would you be willing to give up your 401K, your savings account balance, your stocks and mutual funds…all that you have…in order to show your trust and belief in your Lord?
We are called through this stewardship lesson to give…not only through the offering plate, but the ways in which we live our lives given to us by God. Jesus was always reaching out to those who were being ignored. How will we give to those who rely on our generosity to survive?
In a pertinent hymn we sing, “We lift our voices, we lift our hands, we lift our lives up to you, we are an offering.” In the spirit of stewardship, we pray, “God, use our voices, our hands and our lives. They are yours. We are an offering.”
To listen to Pastor Beth’s entire sermon based on this Gospel story, click on the link below.