Why She Gave Series

It is called; "A Christmas Carol” written by Charles Dickens. The publishing of his book was hugely popular; its first printing of 6,000 copies sold out in less than three days, and that was back in 1843 on December 19th just 6 days before Christmas; that was without computers, television, not even the telephone had been invented yet. But still word spread about this book, and everyone wanted a copy. The book is generally associated with the Christian Christmas holiday season, and it does contain references to Christ in the original version as the one "who made lame beggars walk and blind men see." And by the end of the story, we see both lame and blind touched by the love of Christmas and spirit of giving. Ebenezer Scrooge finally sees after being shown his past present and future that giving is so important and that Tiny Tim is in need of help, or he may not live to see another Christmas. Though this book is a Christmas classic, I believe the Bible has the best stories on the subject of giving! Today I want us to look at giving through the eyes of our Lord Jesus, just watching people at the Temple one day. If you have your Bibles turn to: Mark 12:38-44 #4 Slide *Read (explain) **Have Prayer** So now that we have read the account in God's word…today I want us to look at four reasons: "Why She Gave". (I love this picture! Describe Jesus, the woman, and the Pharisees. Show how they are all reacting inside the Temple.)

The first reason is that…

I. She gave out of duty

This poor widow woman no doubt knew the Scriptures and she knew it instructed an offering to God in the temple. Mal. 3:10 "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

You see, for any church, or temple in this case, to go forward for the Lord there has to be people who are willing to obey God & give!

The expenses of keeping a church or the house of God open takes money. It can only stay open and operate the way it should when God’s people are willing to give to His work.

B. This woman understood the importance of that Temple in

her community and she wanted people to be blessed and

affected by it so she gave of her earnings. She was

worshiping God through her giving.

1) She believed it to be her duty and responsibility to

do her part even if she only had a small amount.

2) I looked up the word duty in the dictionary and there are several definitions but the one that stood out to me was: "The respectful and obedient conduct due to a parent, superior, or elder." You see this woman with her giving was demonstrating to God I am subject to you! (I am under your control, you are my heavenly Father, and I'm obeying you)

(Not only Duty) The second reason is…

II. She gave out of love

A. This woman had genuine love for God and for the work of God. Col. 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of

the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

1) What she was doing was 100% for God and not

for herself she had a genuine love for Him!

2) And you may be thinking how do you know that?

Well, I'll tell you do you realize boys & girls that this

woman was facing some desperate situations.

Two that I can mention just right off the bat.

*She was a widow (what does that mean? Explain)

*She was poor (had very little income, money)

This woman was really in need of someone giving to her and supplying her needs but instead we see her giving to God! What a love for Christ! I wonder if you and I love Him that much?

Illus: Charles Spurgeon a famous preacher from the 1800s along with Slide his wife would sell the eggs their chickens laid but refused to give them away. Even their close friends and relatives were told, "You may have them if you pay for them." As a result, some many labeled the Spurgeons greedy and money hungry. They took people's criticisms without ever defending themselves, and only years later after Mrs. Spurgeon death was the full story revealed. Every cent of the profits from the sale of the chicken eggs had gone to support two poor elderly widow women. We need to learn to give out of love like the Spurgeons did.