QT 1/11/2024 Mark 12:41-44, Money is a Lordship issue

Mark 12:41–44 (ESV) —

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.”

 

NOTE: The issue is that the rich people contributed out of their abundance. They could give a tithe or even a little more because they had a lot. I like to call a "tithe" -- a rich man's excuse not to give. Why? Because a tithe is easy when you are rich. But when you are not, it is a sacrifice. Obviously this poor woman gave a lot, in fact everything she had, but even if she had given half, it would not have been out of abundance, but out of money she could have really used to live. The modern day church has made a mockery of giving. Some put a $20 dollar bill in the basket each week (when they come). Others contribute considerably more, even 10 percent of their take home. But when you are taking home $200K a year, is $20k really that much. So now you have to live on $180K, whereas the person taking home $60K and giving $6K a year, lives on $54K. But the New Testament is clear, the command is not to tithe, but to give from the heart.

 

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (ESV) — 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I give reluctantly or joyfully?
2. Am I a cheerful giver?
3. What can I do this year to continue to give more?

 

PRAYER: Father, this is such a contentious area for so many people. Why? I guess we see money as our money and we don't like being told what to do with our money. But this more than almost any other area is an issue of Lordship. I want you to be Lord of my life in all areas. Help me to be obedient to you in this issue of giving.