What Does God Want From You?

Take your Bibles and find Mark 12:41. I want to share a message with you this morning entitled, “What Does Jesus Want from You?” 

 

We are still in Passion Week.  It is Tuesday, and Thursday’s Passover is coming.  Therefore, remember that Jerusalem is full of first-century Jews, and this story can also be found in Luke 21:1-4.

 

 

1. The Observation of the Proud and their Quantity, Mark 12:41

41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.

 

In verse 41, we see that Jesus was still in the temple.  The treasury was located in the court of women.  It was the furthest point in the temple that women could go. 

 

It was here that there were 13 trumpet-shaped collection receptacles for individuals to give their offerings.  Almost half of them were labeled “free-will offerings,” which is where this money was most like being deposited. 

 

This verse says that Jesus sat opposite the place of giving, and He began observing the people.  He became a people watcher.  The language of the NT tells us that He watched and kept watching.  He watched and watched and watched probably thousands of individuals drop their money into these collection pieces during this Passover season. 

 

Notice also that verse 41 says that He was observing “how” the people gave.  He wasn’t necessarily seeing what they gave.

 

Actually, you probably could have heard this giving in verse 41.  The rich were known to have cashed all of their offerings into smaller coins to deposit.  The sound of so many small coins being dropped into these brass receptacles made everyone turn their head in wonder and amazement of the amounts of money that were being contributed by the rich.  The wealthy were very interested in the praises of men.

 

They were proud, and they were glad that the quantity of their giving was on full display for all to see. 

 

 

1. The Demonstration of the Poor and her Quality, Mark 12:42

42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.

 

In verse 42, we see what is commonly referred to as the widow’s mites. 
This poor widow also came to give at the treasury without any flare and any pomp and any circumstances.  I believe she may have had her with her head down as she dropped in her two small copper coins.

 

A mite was a small copper coin, the smallest denomination in use.  She gave literally 2 lepta, actually less than 1 cent.  She was interested not in the praises of men, but the praises of her Maker. 

 

 

• The Explanation of a Principle of Currency or Money, Mark 12:43-44

43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

 

Notice how Jesus described what the widow gave in verse 43.  He said she put in “more than” anyone else. 

 

In verse 44, He went further with His explanation.  Commenting on the wealthy or the rich, they put in out of their abundance or surplus.  However, this poor widow put in all she owned.  Let that sink in.  She put in the last penny to her name.  In other words, she wouldn’t eat again until she earned some more money.

 

Jesus’ explanation is this: when it comes to money or financial giving, the quality of the giving or your attitude in giving is worth more than the quantity in giving or your action of giving.  The Lord sees your heart and your hand, and don’t forget that He can do a lot with your little. 

 

 

Applications

So here is the first takeaway from today’s text.  Jesus doesn’t want your leftovers.  He wants your livelihood.  This is true with your financial giving, your ministry serving, and your church attending. 

 

I gather annually with some friends from college, and we have a saying that is applicable here.  When we were younger and our metabolism was faster, we used to eat a lot and a lot of unhealthy.  We would say, “You don’t save room.  You make room.”

 

When it comes to your giving and serving and attending, you don’t save room if you have leftovers.  You make room for these priorities that are Jesus’ priorities for your life.

 

The second application is for those who have never answer the call to salvation.  This story foreshadows Jesus giving His all for you in the same way this widow gave her all. 

 

Jesus died on the cross in your place and for your sins.  Today, will you answer His call to put your faith and trust in Him as Lord and Savior?