Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Some of the best examples of faith come from women
• Example of mothers: Mose's mother (and Miriam), Hannah
• Example of other women - the widow of Zeraph, the widow in 20:1-4
  
• This widow:
• We don't know here name but Jesus takes note of her
• Jesus knows she has give the last of her coins - two mites
• Jesus knows she has given everything she has - not lots of money out of their abundance
• Two interpretations of this passage:
• Some feel that what this widow did was wrong
• A symptom of an evil religion - the pharisees preyed on the widows (cf 20:4)
• That Jesus is exposing false religion
• The traditional / common interpretation of love and devotion to God
• People would look down on her meagre offering but Jesus knows she has given 100%
• Which is right?
• We must look at the verses in context
• The motives of this ladies heart is not known
• This it is not clear but there is a clue in 21:3 - Jesus is making a teach point
• "Truly"
• Jesus is commending the actions of the widow
• Looking at the two sides:
• False Religion (of the Scribes and Pharisees)
• True Religion (of the heart)

False Religion (20:45-47)

• Remember that Jesus had driven  the people out of the Temple as they were abusing it - using it for a marketplace
• Matt 23 - Jesus pronounced wows against them (of which 20:45-47 is a very short version)
• He uses very strong language
• He knows they do so much just for show - a sham
• He knows they love money
• They had a false system
• 'Corban' - to gain so called brownie points with God
• Jesus spoke strongly against this
• The Bible speaks tenderly for widows (and the down trodden)
• Ps 146
• James
• Jesus has a heart of love and compassion
• The Prosperity Message
• Is false and only seeks to enrich those who falsely proclaim it
• Such people pull Biblical verses out of context
• The Reformation
• Consider the reformation and how Martin Luther was horrified that the poor were being 'taxed' to build a beautiful cathedral
• Example of Textel
• We are warned against those who use religion for gain
• We must speak out against false religions from a heart of love
• This is why there is much teaching in the New Testament about false religion

True Religion (21:1-4)

• The offering boxes were labelled with their purpose
• This lady finds her two coins: 2 mites / copper coins - worth hardly anything
• Jesus sees exactly what she has done
• God does not want us to give to corrupt systems
• In her heart, she had given to the Lord
• Example of Romanian man paying for petrol for the Ukrainian lady
• You may say it makes no difference
• Jesus does not look on the amount but the heart
• He never despises a gift
• Is she testing God?
• We should not expect God to provide for us if we go beyond our means
• Sometimes gifts of giving beyond our means is acknowledged in Scripture
• 2 Cor 8:1-2
• We are not to be foolish
• The apostles gave up their livelihood as Jesus called them to a life of service
• God does love those who give willingly and cheerfully

Application

• If God is our Lord and Master - how does this affect our giving?
• We should never give out of restraint
• The Church should not make anyone feel guilty about giving
• We ought to give in secret
• Consider the distribution of your monthly spending and how much you have given to the Lord
• As we give, we are blessed – Luke 6:38
• Is this passage teaching us that good deeds get into heaven?
• Absolutely not!
• Religion is not just about good deeds - we are all sinners that fall short of God's glory (Rom 3:23)
• Jesus lived a perfect life and offered this on behalf as an atonement for sin
• We must accept this free gift of everlasting life
• As a response to this love, we give to God
• Closing Remarks