Luke 21:1-4
In the previous passage, Jesus denounces the scribes and teachers of the Law of Moses. In the next passage, He talks about the destruction of the temple.
It’d be good to understand these three stories. Understanding the widow’s offering in this context throws more light on Jesus’ story.
When taken by itself, He commends the widow and not the disciples. He talks about helping the poor. Charity is to rehabilitate the needy. But the entire religion is about helping the poor. It is not only what we give to the poor, but also how we give out of abundance or out of nothing. Do we give with a willing mind?
When He criticizes the scribes He points that they do good things to receive honor in return. We crave for the best, immaterial of what others get. The widow gave all she had because of her belief. She knew God would provide.
Do we give out of compulsion or compassion? This is one of the questions asked to churches. What is the money collected by churches used for? Does it go for the poor and needy? What is important is our attitude towards giving.
Do we give to get back something in return? How is our reaction towards people who give less? Do we consider them as equals? Who are we like – the widow who gives out of nothing, or like the rich who give with expectance of something?
How did Jesus commend the widow?
What does God expect out of us? How do we use our resources? How is our attitude towards poor and needy?
Church is not to live in comfort but to generate life for the poor. Nobody is exempted. Everyone is accountable. Message is the primary motive of religion. We have a mission towards helping the poor and needy.
The resources we have is not make life easier for us. Church is not there to identify with the rich. It is there to identify with all. Mission is to generate life to the poor. Our task is to provide life to people who have list their life to the wants and greed of others.
In the previous passage, Jesus denounces the scribes and teachers of the Law of Moses. In the next passage, He talks about the destruction of the temple.
It’d be good to understand these three stories. Understanding the widow’s offering in this context throws more light on Jesus’ story.
When taken by itself, He commends the widow and not the disciples. He talks about helping the poor. Charity is to rehabilitate the needy. But the entire religion is about helping the poor. It is not only what we give to the poor, but also how we give out of abundance or out of nothing. Do we give with a willing mind?
When He criticizes the scribes He points that they do good things to receive honor in return. We crave for the best, immaterial of what others get. The widow gave all she had because of her belief. She knew God would provide.
Do we give out of compulsion or compassion? This is one of the questions asked to churches. What is the money collected by churches used for? Does it go for the poor and needy? What is important is our attitude towards giving.
Do we give to get back something in return? How is our reaction towards people who give less? Do we consider them as equals? Who are we like – the widow who gives out of nothing, or like the rich who give with expectance of something?
How did Jesus commend the widow?
- By giving the two pennies, she gave everything she had. In Jerusalem temples, there were 13 trumpet shaped collection boxes. There are people watching as to how much each person puts. The widow must’ve been aware of all the eyes on her. The reaction of the scribes is something we can all imagine. One of the customs (according to commentators), is that you should give a minimum of two coins.
- In Jewish society, women were exploited. A widow was doubly exploited. The scribes owned everything the women had. They abused their hospitality. Jesus’ response towards the prostitute was, “Let the sinless among you stone her”. He changed focus from the women to the men. The scribes took charge of the widow’s property in exchange of some money they needed.
What does God expect out of us? How do we use our resources? How is our attitude towards poor and needy?
Church is not to live in comfort but to generate life for the poor. Nobody is exempted. Everyone is accountable. Message is the primary motive of religion. We have a mission towards helping the poor and needy.
The resources we have is not make life easier for us. Church is not there to identify with the rich. It is there to identify with all. Mission is to generate life to the poor. Our task is to provide life to people who have list their life to the wants and greed of others.
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