Faith in Action

Faith in Action: Giving unto Christ, the King

Scripture Reading: Luke 21:1-4

The Widow’s Offering

21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Opening: 

“As Jesus looked up”, this scripture originated with Jesus sharing his perspective, not through a parable but his observation at the temple, during the time of giving. Not at the time of scripture reading or singing of hymns, but at the time of offering; because this moment is the time where the worshipper steps out in faith to respond to the entire worship experience, where the worshipper meets with the Person of his Worship – God. It is the time – Faith in Action.

And there are a few contrasts here

1. The Rich vs the Poor Widow

The Rich had abundance of resources, they were well-known in the city, affluent, well respected and well connected, and they certainly gave significantly, big sums of offering weekly at the temple. The Poor Widow was not just Poor – suggesting lack of resources, she is also a Widow, she had lost her husband, and in those days, it means she is lonely and alone. There is no one to speak for her, protect and to provide for her. Adding the two together; she is struggling to make ends meet, living way beneath the poverty line, forgotten and neglected. But it was her humble gift that was singled out for affirmation and praise. Not the Rich. She had put in all the livelihood that she had.

2. The Religious vs the Poor Widow

If we were to read the text before and after, we can see that Jesus singled out the religious leaders – the scribes (people who know the law) for condemnation and judgement, and the prophesy about the imminent destruction of the temple. True religion lookout for social injustice and tries to make it right. True religion is not only words, but faith in action. True religion is Christ incarnated in all of us, as we put on Christ and love the poor, the less fortunate, the marginalized.

3. Christ vs the Poor Widow 

Interestingly in Luke or in Mark, there are no mention of Jesus approaching the poor widow in person or through his disciples to talk to her, affirm her or to encourage her. There at that moment there was no promise of a 30, 60, 100 fold of blessings in this lifetime. Why? I think there was no need to. This poor widow knows what most of us doesn’t. This present Hope for a better Home – Heaven. Eternal. She is not hoping for a better earth but a better heaven! And in Christ, we have the perfect gift of reconciliation back to the Father. What is more important than this, that we can withheld from giving Him our precious.  

2 Corinthians 5:1-4 
5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

2 Corinthians 8:9
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.