Mites, Mustards Seeds, and Mountains
So He said, “Truly I say to you that
this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings
for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”
– Luke 21:3-4
After Jesus’
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem His opponents attacked Him with weaponized
questions (cf. Luke 21). Jesus fielded their questions and turned what they
meant for evil, into a good opportunity to teach some sound life lessons. At
the end of His encounter with His enemies, Jesus warned, “Beware of the
scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the
marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 47
who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will
receive greater condemnation" (Luke 20:46-47). Jesus
saw through the pretentious hypocrisy of His religious enemies, and he exposed
it.
As we walk further
with Jesus we come to a poor widow who serves as a contrast to the scribes. And
it is Jesus’ observations about this poor widow that offers us edifying hope for
those who may be in a similar situation in life. This encounter and what Jesus
says is important because so much of “Christianity” today is focused on self.
Books are written with titles like “Your Best Life Now,” “Empty Out the
Negative,” “I Declare,” and a lot of other self-help books or programs with an
emphasis on self. The poor widow and
what Jesus observed about her, and what we can observe about her, is
diametrically opposed to what much of “Christianity” is all about in our day. We
are warned in scripture that the Last Days would be filled with apostasy (2 Thessalonians
2:1-4). It says the Last Days would see an upturn in self-love emphasis (2 Timothy
3:1-9). This is exactly what we are seeing. The account of the poor widow is a
corrective to these wayward paths of today.
The account of the
widow’s mite is also recorded in Mark’s gospel (Mark 12:41-44).
21 And He looked up
and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and
He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He
said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put
in more than all; 4 for all
these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her
poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”
Here from the start, we see
Jesus is pointing out a giver not a receiver, a giver, not a taker. That’s
important. And we learn from Jesus that it
isn’t just that a person gives that is important, but the extent and heart with
which they give. “This poor widow has put in more than all.” Such total
giving was an indication of her faith in God to provide for her needs. She put
in her all trusting that God would meet her needs. She didn’t trust God but
have a contingency plan just in case. No,
her trust in God to provide for her was total. She gave, “all the livelihood
that she had.” She gave everything. How do you give? Do you give with a
contingency plan? Do you give just
enough, or what you feel is enough? Or do you give like this widow who was
commended by Jesus.
When we look at the giving
of this widow, we see a number of things to be highlighted.
First, the widow had a relationship with God. The widow’s actions and giving flowed out of her relationship
with and devotion to God. If this were mere ritual, she would have given only
what was expected of her. But she put in all she had. That speaks of a deeper devotion.
That speaks of a relationship with God. All that we do should flow from such a
deep devotion and relationship with God (e.g. John 17:3-4).
Second, the widow’s faith had been tested. A faith not tested cannot be trusted. But a faith tested and
true is trustworthy. This woman was a widow. The word “widow” (Greek cheran) means a widow, without a husband. This word was also used to describe a city
that had been stripped of its inhabitants
and riches.” Her husband had died. We aren’t told how he died. But the
death of her husband put her faith to the test.
If you listen or read what
much of the church is focused on today, you’d get the impression that its all
about “ME.” In today’s messages Jesus is incidental and reduced to a mere means
for US or YOU or ME, MYSELF, and I, to reach our goals, be fulfilled, realize
our dreams, be content and satisfied. In a sense, it is about us, but not about
us in this world and what we can grab
onto and attain in this world. It’s about us in terms of where we are at
with God, in our relationship with Him by grace through faith in Jesus. Jesus
said to find our life we must lose it (Luke 9:24; 17:33). That doesn’t seem to
fit what is being proclaimed from the pulpits of many churches and TV preachers
of our day. The Bible says to live is all about Jesus Christ (Philippians
1:21). The Bible says we shouldn’t only life for ourselves, but we should live
for the “glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). That is the way to finding life
and fulfillment. It’s quite a different message from what is being proclaimed
in our day.
The “test” of faith today
seems to be the measure of material prosperity and freedom from discomfort. In
many “Christian” circles today we run from conflict to comfort. Many discard truth
for fear culture will cancel them. But that is exactly opposite of what Jesus
taught and God’s word tells us. Such thinking and living leads to a faith that
isn’t tested. And a faith untested cannot be trusted. I believe this is a large
part of why today’s church seems so anemic and ill-equipped to be a witness for
God and agents of His work. We are not reaching the lost, because the
difference between the “lost” and “saved” is nearly indistinguishable.
The Bible speaks of the
importance of faith being tested:
· James
1:2–5 (NKJV) - 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various
trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces
patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking
nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who
gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
· 1
Peter 1:3–9 (NKJV) - 3 Blessed be the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has
begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled
and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who
are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed
in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for
a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that
the genuineness of your faith, being
much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be
found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom
having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of
glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
· 2
Corinthians 12:8–10 (NKJV) - 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times
that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made
perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore
I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in
distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
This widow woman’s faith had
been tested and proven true. There are few things harder to go through than the
death of a spouse. Oftentimes, a widow in these days would be looked after by
her family. Since she was also poor, it implies she had little to no family to look
after her in her widowhood. She may not have had any family willing to watch
out for her. She may not have had any family at all. That she was a widow meant
she was familiar with loss, grief, and pain. That she was poor meant she knew
what it was to suffer need. But such circumstances also put her in a position where
she had to depend on God. And that is what we will see.
Third, the widow knew about hope. That she was a widow and
poor would have either led her to deep depression and despair, or, as it
seems to show here, she looked in hope to God. That she was still giving to God
is evidence of the latter. She did not let her circumstances hinder her walk with
God. She stepped forward and contributed regardless of how little she had. That’s
evidence she was hoping in God.
This woman didn’t let her
loss or her singleness, or aloneness, deter her from trusting and hoping in the
Lord. There’s no indication that God’s will was that she re-marry. There is no
sign of her singleness deterring her from doing what god had put on her heart
to do. There’s no evidence of a pity party. Somehow I can’t picture this widow
choosing a church based on relational prospects for marriage. Yet, that is the
standard many use in our day. Somehow I think she would have based her choice
of church on the truth being taught from God’s word and a more substantial
standard to gauge by.
And up to this point she was
in a state of poverty. But her act of giving demonstrated she was hoping in
God. Her focus wasn’t on what she didn’t have, but on what she did have. She
had God! Like David, she didn’t fixate on and fear her Goliath, she trusted in
her Gigantic God. She didn’t know what her future held, but she certainly knew
Who held her future. That’s hope sorely missing in many of our day.
Fourth, the widow acted on what she had been taught. She brought her two mites and gave them to the LORD. Why did
she do this at all? Because that is what she had been taught. She was living
out God’s word. She was acting on and obeying what she had been taught from God’s
word. That is a perfect example for us to follow. We should watch and walk with
God based on His word (2 Timothy 2 and 3).
Now women of Jesus’ day had limited
access to the word of God. Many people had limited access because the scriptures
were only in the places of worship. They didn’t have the Bible I all the
different shapes and sizes we do today. They didn’t have the Bible and a
powerful search engine and innumerable study resources to call upon. But for a
woman, access to God’s word was even more difficult. And yet this woman found a
way. She knew in her heart what she needed to do. She knew in her heart because
God had revealed His truth to her. And that was present because she had a relationship
with God. What she had heard and been taught was that she should give. What
little she received in terms of teaching, she acted in faith upon.
Fifth, the widow stepped forward; she did something. A “mite” (Greek lepta)
is a fifth of a cent. She put in her two mites or 2 fifths of a cent, next to
nothing. She had next to nothing to give, but she gave it anyway. The word “poor”
(Greek penichran) means poor, needy. She had next to nothing,
but she did what she could do.
The widow didn’t stay on the
sidelines. She wasn’t negligent of what God commanded her to do. She stepped
forward and was involved. She did her part no matter how much it was. She didn’t
have a lot, but what she had she made available to God. She did what she could
do.
Sixth, the widow was not intimidated by those who had more to
give than she did. She didn’t think, “I only
have a mite, what’s the use of me giving?” No. She simply gave. She did what
she could do rather than shrink into obscurity because what she could do was
not as much or not seen as being very much by others. It’s better to do something
than nothing. It’s better to do what you can do, than to allow what you can’t
do to stifle your faith.
Seventh, the widow had a heart to give. She did what she knew was right for her to do. She was
committed to give to God’s work. To her it wasn’t a matter of what she had as
much as it was to do what was right with whatever she had. Even though she was
indeed poor, and a widow with no visible means of support, she still gave. She
didn’t let her circumstances keep her from contributing to God’s work.
Eighth, the widow went beyond what was expected of her. She wasn’t thinking, “I must give a tithe (or a tenth).” She
was thinking, “I only have a little bit, but I will give it all to the Lord.” The
widow gave her all. Two mites, two fifths of a penny, that’s all she had. But
that’s what she gave. Do you have a heart to give like that?
Ninth, the widow acted in faith. The widow demonstrated her faith in stepping out and acting
rather than shrinking back in obscurity. She demonstrated her faith in not
letting herself be intimidated by others. She demonstrated her faith in doing
what she was supposed to do; she demonstrated her faith in obedience. And she
demonstrated her faith in giving her all and trusting God to provide for her.
Lastly, this widow, who the world may have seen as feeble,
was, because of her “least” position, of great worth to Jesus. As the rich passed her by putting their much larger amounts
into the offering, they likely looked down on this widow as feeble and
beggarly. They didn’t likely think she was worth much. And by their worldly
standards she wasn’t. But God’s standards, Jesus’ standards, are different.
Mites, Mustard Seeds, and Mountains. The widow and her two mites are an example of mustard seed faith.
And such faith can move mountains. Earlier in Luke Jesus is recorded to have
said:
· Luke
17:6 (NKJV) - 6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith
as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the
roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
Matthew records another
occasion when Jesus said something similar while instructing His disciples on
why they weren’t successful delivering an epileptic boy from a demon. Jesus
said:
· Matthew
17:20 (NKJV) - 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of
your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard
seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will
move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
You see, it only takes a
little bit of faith for God to do big things. Whether it is a problem that is
deeply rooted, or a mountain that needs to be moved, if you bring your mustard
seed faith to the Lord and trust in Him, problems can be uprooted, and mountains
can be moved. Everything about this widow speaks of small, not much, little.
But she stepped out in faith with what she had. And Jesus commended her for
that. That is what we need to do. We need to watch with faith like this widow.
We need to bring what we have to Jesus, no matter how small, not much, or
little it is, and he will take it and do great things. Do you have only a
little faith? Come to Jesus with what you have. You’ll be surprised by what He
can do and does do, when we step out in the faith that we have.
Earlier in Luke we saw Jesus
taught the value of “the least.” He said, “For he who is least among you all
will be great” (Luke 9:48). He said, “He who is faithful in what is least is
faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in
much” (Luke 16:10). The world tempts and urges us to try and be the most, the biggest, the greatest, the
center of attention. Jesus taught us that we excel in God’s ways and
standards when we adopt the least position.
It is when we serve in obscurity that we become great for Him. It is when we
come with what little we have and give Him our all, that’s when we approach
true greatness.
The Apostle Paul is an
example of this. He testified:
· 1
Corinthians 15:9–10 (NKJV) - 9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be
called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But
by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain;
but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
When you think of yourself as
“the least” like Paul did, all you can do is worship God for what his grace can
do in you and through you. That’s what Paul testified to when he said:
· Ephesians
3:8 (NKJV) - 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this
grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable
riches of Christ,
The only boasting
Paul did, the only credit he took, even in all his achievements, was that he
was the chief of sinners who God had mercifully called into service by His
grace:
· 1
Timothy 1:12–17 (NKJV) - 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because
He counted me faithful, putting me
into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a
persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And
the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are
in Christ Jesus. 15 This is
a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the
world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this
reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all
longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for
everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, to God who alone is wise, be
honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
The key to greatness in God’s
kingdom, is recognizing one’s leastness.
Therefore, it can be said of
this poor widow, like Abraham who answered God’s call to go out (Genesis 12),
like Moses who was humbled, then restored and commanded to lead (Exodus 2 and
3), like Joshua who defied his fears and stepped forward (Joshua 1 and 3), like
David who stepped up to slay the giant (1 Samuel 17), and like the other
members of God’s Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11), this poor widow, the least of all
on the scene, with her two mites mustered her faith to step forward and give
her all. In doing this she became great in God’s kingdom.
We might look at this poor
widow and think she doesn’t belong in the same class as those pillars of faith
just mentioned. But the admiration with which Jesus pointed to her tells us
different. To Jesus, this widow and her mites was a pillar of faith, not the
wealthy and rich who made their donations. This woman gave her all. Others
might have looked at her and thought her feeble. Not so Jesus! He pointed her
out. He saw her as exceptional. In faith she gave what she had. And like her,
when we do that, when we give what we got, we too, with her, according to
Jesus, receive a commendation and a bust in God’s Hall of Faith.
Years ago someone sent me a
story of a church with a mountain moving problem. I share it now to see what
God is able to do, even when it means moving a mountain.
A small
congregation in the foothills of the Great Smokies built a new sanctuary on a
piece of land willed to them by a church member. Ten days before the new church
was to open, the local building inspector informed the pastor that the parking
lot was inadequate for the size of the building. Until the church doubled the
size of the parking lot, they would not be able to use the new sanctuary.
Unfortunately, the church with its undersized lot had used every inch of their
land except for the mountain against which it had been built. To build more
parking spaces, they would have to move the mountain out of the back yard.
Undaunted, the pastor announced the next Sunday morning that he would meet that
evening with all members who had “mountain moving faith." They would hold a prayer session asking God
to remove the mountain from the back yard and to somehow provide enough money
to have it paved and painted before the scheduled opening dedication service
the following week.
At the appointed time, 24 of the congregation's 300 members assembled for
prayer. They prayed for nearly three
hours. At ten o'clock the pastor said the final "Amen." "We'll open next Sunday as
scheduled," he assured everyone. "God has never let us down before,
and I believe He will be faithful this time too."
The next morning as he was working in his study there came a loud knock at his
door. When he called "come in," a rough looking construction supervisor
appeared, removing his hard hat as he entered.
"Excuse me, Reverend. I'm from Acme Construction Company over in the next
county. We're building a huge new shopping mall over there and we need some
fill dirt. Would you be willing to sell us a chunk of that mountain behind the
church? We'll pay you for the dirt we remove and pave all the exposed area free
of charge, if we can have it right away. We can't do anything else until we get
the dirt in and allow it to settle properly.
The little church was dedicated the next Sunday as originally planned and there
were far more members with "mountain moving faith" on opening Sunday
than there had been the previous week! Would you have shown up for that prayer
meeting?
Have you got a mountain that
needs moving? Does it seem like an impossibility? Bring your mustard seed faith
to Him and watch what God can do. There’s a lot of mountains that need moving
in this world. Rather than cower and close our doors, we need to step up and
out. We need to have a bit of this widow-like faith. We need to take our two
mites and step out with our mustard seed faith and move those mountains.
