The Sound of Love (Mark 12:41-44)

March 21, 2010

I.     An insignificant event, vv. 41-42.
A.     Jesus carefully observed the temple activity.
     1.     He moved to the Women's Court.
          a.     There were 13 trumpet-shaped offering containers.
          b.     6 containers for freewill, 7 for temple tax.
     2.     Many rich people were giving large gifts.
          a.     The Passover meant extra offerings.
          b.     This matched Jesus' words to the scribes, vv. 38-40.
               1)     Did the rich announce their gifts?
               2)     Did they make sure the coins sounded in the box?
     3.     Jesus took special notice of the widow.
          a.     Widows were dependent on others for support.
          b.     This widow was extremely poor.
B.     God is always carefully watching over our lives.
     1.     He sees everything that happens.
     2.     He watches because He cares.
          a.     His desire is to guide us in the best way.
          b.     His silence does not mean He does not care.
          c.     We don't face anything alone.

II.     An insignificant gift, vv. 43-44.
     A.     Jesus pointed out the true value of the gifts.
          1.     The large donations were not the most valuable.
               a.     Humanly these gifts were the largest.
               b.     The givers only gave small portions of their wealth.
          2.     God valued the widow's gift most of all.
               a.     Her coins were the least valuable coins of Rome.
               b.     Why did God value her gift so highly?
                    1)     She gave all she had to live on that day.
                    2)     Her gift was for God, not for show.
                    3)     She simply wanted to please God.
     B.     When the heart is right, God will do more with less.
          1.     The size of our gift is not the most important issue.
          2.     God wants our giving to reflect love.
               a.     What other people think does not matter.
               b.     Trust of God is at the heart of right giving.
     C.     Important points to remember.
          1.     God expects us to give Him 10% of all we earn (tithe).
          2.     Offerings go beyond the tithe.
          3.     Every believer is responsible to support the church.

Personal Challenges
1.     Demonstrate your love of God by the use of your money.
      a.     Are you giving 10%? If not, make a plan how to get to that point.
      b.     Is there an offering you can give to that goes beyond the tithe?
      c.     Ask God to help you grow in faithful use of money.
2.     Do you know God in a personal relationship?