WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Think of a time when you gave something away. What did you feel? A sense of loss? A feeling of relief? As you read this passage, try to imagine the feelings of each of the people in the story. Big contrast It’s been an eventful few days in the Temple. Challenges to the traders, plots to kill Jesus, trick questions, theological arguments, warnings to the people. And now Jesus sits down and watches people giving money. He may have been in the Temple treasury or he may have been looking at the 13 trumpet-like containers in the Court of Women. Wherever he was, what he saw was a massive contrast. The rich were giving large amounts (v 41) unlike the poor widow (v 42). She might have been too poor even to have been cheated by the teachers (12:40) – to be cheated you have to have at least some kind of wealth! Giving it all But Jesus showed that generosity is not really about how much you give. It’s more about what you have left. And in the case of this widow, that was nothing. However, after all the ups and downs of these days, here is a moment of intimacy. It is the disciples who Jesus takes on one side to point out about the widow (v 43). Jesus’ challenges about giving and generosity come to his followers first and foremost. Respond: ‘Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand’ (1 Chronicles 29:14). Pray for this grateful and generous heart to grow in you. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-11-22