Thoughts on Mark 12:38-44

³⁸ In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, ³⁹ and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, ⁴⁰ who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” ⁴¹ And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. ⁴² A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. ⁴³ Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; ⁴⁴ for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

Do you give all you can out of your poverty? or Do you give all you can out of a surplus? I have heard this message given many times in my life. Like you I wondered about why the widow only had a penny to give? I ask this question because in the biblical days the widow and the orphan were to be care for by the community. Farmers were to leave the outer edges of the field so those in need could harvest only what they needed to survive. James challenges us to not show favoritism towards the rich while kicking the poor to the side. Here was this widow in the midst of the religious leaders who were charged with caring for the spiritual needs of the community. 

We have heard it said in Mathew 26:11 You will always have the poor among you, but you do not always have me. The charge is that we are to care for those who cannot care for themselves. The scribes sought out to place their needs above the needs of the poor. The honored person at the banquet will not be those that have served, but those that gave their all trusting God to care for their needs. 

The questions above, are to challenge you to give all you can, not just what you can. We give all to grow in knowledge of Him. We give all to the needs of our family. We give all to our employer. We give all church. We give all to our community. The aspect of giving are: spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial. 


Spiritually we seek God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Physically we serve God with all our time. Emotionally, we seek to lift the spirits of the broken with a message of hope for in Christ. Lastly, we give all we can financially, that which He has given to you. This is to give out of your poverty. Surplus means you still have more to give in these areas. So, do you give all you can out of your poverty?Do you place yourself in the offering plate as a willing vessel?


Pray with me: Lord there are times that I have not given my all to you. Lord I desire to give out of my poverty. I desire to give not to receive a honor seat at the banquet, but to share the hope you have given to me. Keep me humble before others. Call me to your side Lord and teach me the way you taught your disciples. Today I place myself in the offering plate to be used by you. I will give that which has been give to me, the message of life. Amen.