Everything She Had

[Davey D0]

​

This was the Sermon, "Everything She Had" on November 10 at my church, from Mark 12: 38-44, which reads, "Then he went over to the collection boxes and sat and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Some who were rich put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped two pennies. He called his disciples over and remarked, 'That poor widow has given more than all those rich Men together! For they gave a little of their extra fat, while she gave up her last penny.'" (The Living Bible)

At the time, I thought, "Yeah- she gave more, because she gave all". Then, as I later sat in my Art Room, inspired by the Sermon and creating the above image, I thought of the proverb, "Charity begins at home". Looking up the meaning and its origin, I found it's from 1 Timothy 5:8, "But anyone who won't care for his own relatives when they need help, especially his own family, has no right to say he is a Christian. Such a person is worse than a heathen". (Again, The Living Bible)

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[bobinfaith]

Hello Davey D0;

In Mark 12:38-44 the crowds who comfortably had money in their pockets gave out of their wealth. The poor widow gave out of her heart and sacrificial giving. I don't know if she lived with family but was a poor widow.

My personal thought is this; There isn't a followup in Scripture with the poor widow who gave all she had, but I have to believe Jesus witnessed this and blessed her abundantly.

In 1 Timothy 5:8, Paul speaks about the foundation in the home. God entrusted the generations of parents to be good stewards to their children, closest loved ones and passed down to the future generations. God also entrusted His provisions to help put food on the table, clothes for bodily protection and care for healthy well being, thus strengthening our faith in God who provides all our needs. When this is neglected, charity in the home is broken.

When Christians give the last of their provisions and don't put shoes on their children's feet is not what God intended. Again, God is entrusting us to be good stewards of His provisions.

This is why these two distinctive teachings in Mark 12 and 1 Timothy 5 require lifetime studies.

There were times when my wife and I had only a few bucks until payday during those early wedding years. God made a way for us to take care of ourselves. God understood our confession. We didn't have money in our pockets but what little gas we had we gave family a ride to the hospital, to the drug store, etc...displaying a cheerful heart while giving ourselves and all the glory to God.

I was blessed to read how your Pastor gave the message, "Everything She Had" and referred to The Living Bible. I would have enjoyed listening to this sermon.

God bless you, Davey D0, and thank you for sharing your art piece.

Bob

 

[Cosia]

Hi Davey D0
Great post to make us think.
Jesus didn't judge this widow, so perhaps she had no children. Perhaps if she had children that coin was what was left over.

Yes, of course we should look after family, but some people have no family. I believe we should be having them too.
Great Post.

God Bless Davey

 

[Davey D0]

Well, bless you both, bobinfaith and Cosia, and thank you for your replies!

You know, if we open ourselves up to God and Jesus' teachings, the answer always comes. After I had submitted the initial post, I thought- which could have God's voice say, "Jesus could see what was in the poor widow's heart, and that was she was unselfishly fulfilling a need for others".

Again, thank you for reinforcing and expanding my consciousness and perspective.