Another Exemplar
Elaine Poproski Download: Audio
Scripture: Mark 12:38 – 44
As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces… Read more…
Looking to Sunday
by Elaine Poproski
I once lived in a region in which our provincial member of parliament was voted into office over and over and over again. It didn’t seem to matter if this MPP was a person of integrity or ever did anything for the people he represented. It didn’t seem to matter what he said or didn’t say on the campaign trail. He rode the coattails of his family’s reputation, regardless of whether or not he lived up to that reputation. You can probably tell that I wasn’t a fan of this MPP. Every four years, when it came time to cast my vote, it felt like a complete waste of time.
I know that stories are told of people winning or losing their seat by super narrow margins. I know that those stories support the claim that every vote counts. But it’s hard to be inspired to vote when you’re just one out of thousands of votes.
There’s a story told in Mark 12:41-44, in which Jesus is watching people put money into the temple treasury. He notices a poor widow put in a couple small copper coins that are worth so little they have virtually no purchasing power. But Jesus calls His disciples over and declares that this widow’s contribution is the most valuable of all that He’s seen.
I wonder how the widow felt as she gave what she had. I wonder what she was thinking. I wonder if she wondered if there was any point – if her contribution mattered at all.
Have you ever wondered if your contributions – financial or otherwise – to our church or to some other charity out there, really make a difference? When was the last time any charity celebrated the super small donations? How many plaques have you seen memorializing a tiny contribution? How many buildings are named after someone who only had a few dollars to give? It’s easy to believe that size matters, regardless of what Jesus said.
As you prepare for Sunday, perhaps spend some time meditating on Jesus’ words to His disciples in this short story. These are Jesus’ words:
Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are
contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their
abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had,
all she had to live on.
What do these words mean to you, practically? I’m sure you’ve heard sermons preached and read devotionals based on this story. Many of you probably have an idea what the right interpretation of these words is. But I wonder if that right interpretation has any practical use. What do these words of Jesus mean for your life and your giving? What do they mean for Walmer’s life and giving?