To wrap up this mini-series on the 12th chapter of the Gospel of Mark, let’s take a look at the last four verses. if you’ve been around church for a while, I suspect that you’ve previously read and/or heard this account.
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Mark 12:41-44 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mrk.12.41-44.NIV
Today, it seems like the denomination of money that “doesn’t matter” is getting bigger and bigger. In the U.S., pennies became too expensive to manufacture, so we’re often having to round to the nearest five cents, and some are asking if the nickel will go next. Still, I don’t think that the exact amount that this woman gave is the point of the story. Yes, by worldly standards, the coins were worth less than others were giving, but I think that the rich man who Jesus spoke to in Mark 10:17-31 could have found joy in God if he had followed Jesus’ instructions to sell everything he had, give it to the poor, and follow Jesus. That would have been a much larger gift in monetary value, compared to the so-called “widow’s mite”, but it would have been similarly sacrificial.
So, are the examples of this widow and the rich young ruler meant to be a command for all followers of Jesus to give everything that they have away? (We could also include the example of the disciples, who gave up a lot to follow Jesus – see Mark 10:28-31, for instance). I think that the answer is “yes and no”.
- Yes, in the sense that we are to give everything that we have and everything that we are over to Jesus, entrusting Him not only to lead us, but also to provide for us.
- No, in the sense that sometimes God allocates His blessings to us for our own benefit, as well as for the benefit of others.
I think of it this way: Everything that we have is God’s, for Him to decide how we will use it. However, God often allocates what He has given us across multiple recipients, including ourselves.
- God sometimes has us give our “time, treasure, and talent” to those who need to see His love in action.
- God sometimes has us give our “time, treasure, and talent” to the body of Christ, whether serving directly or providing resources. [See Acts 2:45; Acts 4:32-37; Titus 3:14]
- God sometimes has us use our “time, treasure, and talent” for taking care of our family. [See 1 Timothy 5:7-8]
- And, God sometimes has us use our “time, treasure, and talent” for our own “survival” and – even more than that – for us to “thrive” (our “thrival”, we might say). He also provides for us in special ways, often with blessings that aren’t limited to the spiritual realm.
Now, I respect – and personally understand – that it can be a challenge to know exactly where and how God wants us to use what He has entrusted us with (from His endless supply). That’s not easy, but seeking out that answer for ourselves is worth some effort on our part.
I think that sometimes we also get stuck in what might be called a “zero sum trap”. We have this belief that if we “let go” of some of what we have, there will be less for us. Have you asked yourself something like, “If I give this money to the church or a missionary or a family member, will I still be able to retire comfortably?” I have, even though there are people having to make decisions about giving to the church who aren’t sure if they will be able to pay rent or buy groceries if they do. I can’t judge because I’ve wrestled with questions about money and saving, and I don’t have all of the answers. However, I do believe that this “either-or” mentality – when it conflicts with something that God is asking us to do specifically – is probably a symptom of not trusting Him. Since God literally created the world, owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and can feed thousands with a few loaves and fish, why do we still think that we will have less for ourselves if we share our blessings from God where and when He calls us to do so?
This question is perhaps over-simplified, but do we trust God’s wisdom and provision, or don’t we? Do we believe that everything we have is God’s (for us to use according to His will), or do we really think that it’s ours (to do with what we want)?
As a testimony to God’s unlimited supply, I took a pay cut of about 50% last year. It was like stepping out onto the very edge of the diving board, where my wife and I calculated that we would just barely have enough – between wages and savings – to maintain our “standard of living”. Yet, we can testify that God has continued to provide everything that we needed in unusual and unexpected ways, whether that’s lowering our expenses or providing miscellaneous income. I’m not saying that we didn’t struggle with that decision, but God has been more than faithful, once we finally acted upon our decision.
So, no matter where God calls you to allocate the blessings that He’s entrusted to you, let everything go, giving it over to God. Whether God uses some of His blessings in your life for your own “room and board”, or gives you something you didn’t expect, trust that what He provides you will be shaped by His infinite resources, His miraculous power, and His great love for you.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for November 23, 2025
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Mark, by Allen Black. © 1995 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 