We are in the midst of a capital funds campaign. You heard a testimony a few moments ago. You saw posters and banners in the foyer. We have a major banquet coming up in several weeks. Financial giving is on our minds. I want to put this into perspective by introducing you to a woman who gave in such a way that she caught Jesus eye. “Then He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, ‘Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty has put in all the livelihood that she had.’’’ Lk. 21:1-4 NKJV
The lady in this text can speak to us because she has earned the right to speak. She has set an example by her sacrificial spirit. What did she do that caught Jesus eye? She teaches us three lessons.
1. Giving that catches Jesus eye begins in the heart. I admit, the word heart is not mentioned in this text. However, as you examine the text it becomes obvious that Jesus is examining the heart. If you had measured the contributions by appearance the rich people would have received a higher grade. The widow would have received a lower grade. But Jesus saw the heart.
The focus of our capital funds campaign is on “Equal sacrifice, not equal gifts.” It is a heart issue, not a size issue. A widow who gives $1,000 over three years may actually give more than a high salaried person that gives $10,000. The heart is the issue.
Jesus does not measure appearances, He measures the heart. Isaiah referred to this truth. He said the Lords "thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.” Is. 55:8 (NKJV) God knows your thoughts, actions and motives. I am humbled every time I read Ps. 139. Listen to verses 1-4. “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.” (NKJV)
The Bible emphasizes faith that is driven by the heart. Paul referred to this in Rom. 10:8-11. But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Rom. 10:8-11 Notice the number of times the word “heart” is used in this text.
Heart faith is motivated to do things sacrificially. When you study the New Testament you notice Jesus followers gave their best. They gave to him sacrificially. According to church history most all of Jesus original twelve disciples gave their lives for Jesus. There is no greater sacrifice.
We find another inspiring story in John 12:1-7. In this story Jesus is in Bethany at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Lazarus is the man Jesus raised from the dead. Mary so adored Jesus Christ that she did a seemingly irrational thing. It was customary in their day for a servant to wash the feet of guests. They had dirty feet from long walks on dusty roads. Most of them wore sandals. Thus, feet would be pretty dirty. Mary, whose brother Lazarus Jesus had raised from the dead, performed this beautiful deed. She took a bottle of expensive perfume and washed Jesus feet. After the washing she needed something to wipe His feet. She took the ends of her long hair and wiped the perfume and moist dirt from Jesus feet. Can you imagine, wiping someone’s feet with your hair. That must have been a mess! However, that was her way of expressing worship and adoration to Jesus. When you love Jesus and express your faith to Him you will do it with actions the world does not understand.
Financial giving is this way. Tithing and giving offerings to God does not make sense to a person who thinks like the world. A person of faith loves God and is willing to sacrifice for Him. He is the reason for our existence and the purpose for our lives. Some of you may be offended with my discussions about tithing. You will really be offended when you discover what the New Testament teaches about tithing. The New Testament teaches sacrificial giving. Paul said “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Rom. 12:1
Illustration: I once heard a story about a soldier who was seriously injured in World War II. On the operating table in a field hospital he opened his eyes and saw a doctor bending over him. The doctor tried to console the soldier by saying “It’s all right, kid, you’re going to get well. But I’m afraid you’ve lost your arm.” The soldier grinned, and in a faint voice, replied, “I didn’t lose it I gave it.”
When we give to Jesus we are not losing anything. We are giving, if we give in the right spirit.
2. Giving that catches Jesus eye gives to support God’s work at God’s house of worship. You might ask, how do we know this lady gave in order to support God’s work. That is a good question. Notice where she gave! She gave her money at the treasury. The treasury was located in the court of women. The court of women was one of the sections of the temple in Jerusalem. In the court of the treasury there were 13 trumpet shaped collection boxes. You thought we have a lot of offerings! Each of these was used to support a part of the temple work. (buy incense, buy wood, etc) It was into these collection boxes that the widow cast her two coins. She did not give her money to Jesus but gave it to the agency that, in her mind, represented God’s work. Nobody solicited her to do this. Nobody begged her to do this. She felt a responsibility. With that in mind let me state two simple principles.
Principle one: if you are a believer you should feel an obligation to support God’s work in God’s house. Any organization to which you belong will expect you to support their organization financially.
• If you belong to a fitness center they will expect you to pay a fee.
• If you belong to the booster club at your favorite school they will expect your support.
• If you belong to a service organization they will expect you to support their cause.
Some of us think we can treat God with less respect than we treat organizations in the community.
Illustration: Malachi challenged the people of his day to bring their tithes into a storehouse. People gave tithes of their crops and produce to God. These offerings were kept in a storehouse. They brought the first portion (which was the best).
Principle two: the church is not a perfect place. Let me remind you of something. This lady gave her contribution at the temple. It was that same temple from which Jesus took a whip and ran unethical buyers and sellers. It was not a perfect place. Neither is any church a perfect place. Whatever house of worship you attend, you ought to support!
Illustration: The Bible is full of real and imperfect people. Noah was a drunk; Abraham was too old and a liar; Sarah laughed at God’s promises; Isaac was a daydreamer; Jacob was a liar; Leah was ugly. Joseph was abused; Moses had a stuttering problem and a short fuse; Miriam was a gossip; Gideon was afraid; Samson had long hair and was a womanizer; Jeremiah and Timothy were too young. Naomi was a widow; Job went bankrupt; David started off too young, then his armor didn’t fit, then he had an affair; Solomon was too rich. Elijah was burned-out and suicidal; Isaiah preached naked; Jeremiah was depressed; Jonah ran from God; Amos’ only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning; Hosea’s wife was a prostitute. John the Baptist ate bugs; Martha worried about everything; the Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once; Peter denied Christ; the disciples fell asleep while praying; Thomas doubted; Zaccheus was too small; John Mark was rejected by Paul; Paul himself was too religious, plus, he was a murderer, as were Moses and David. And of course, Lazarus was dead!
(Contributed to Sermon Central by Pat Cook)
3. Giving that catches Jesus eye is done in Faith. Jesus said “she out of her poverty has put in all the livelihood that she had.” She faced two challenges when she gave. She was a widow. She was poor. In spite of her difficulty she gave sacrificially.
A. Real faith trust God to provide. The Bible indicates this lady gave all of her remaining money. That is faith!
Illustration: I am reminded of Abraham’s offering of Isaac on Mt. Moriah. Isaac was Abraham’s promised heir. In offering Isaac as an offering to God Abraham was willingly giving his sole heir. However, Abraham had faith that God would provide a replacement for Isaac. He trusted God.
B. Real faith trust that God will reward. The text does not indicate the lady to be expecting a reward. There is a hidden implication behind everything we do for God. If there is to be any recognition or reward God will give it. Service to God should not be done with a goal of reward. It should be done out of love. However, meeting God’s approval is behind all that we do.
Illustration: Henry C. Morrison was a great missionary who served the Lord in Africa for over 40 years. On the way back to the United States, he began to wonder “will anyone remember us? Will anyone recall who we are? Will anyone meet us at the boat?” Well, unknown to Henry Morrison and his wife, Teddy Roosevelt, President of the U.S., was also on board that ship. He had gone to Africa on a hunting trip. When the ship pulled into New York harbor he looked to see if anyone had come to welcome them back home. Thousands of people were there cheering. Bands were playing. There were signs, banners and billboards everywhere saying, “Welcome Home”. Henry and his wife were so excited about the crowds of people that were there to welcome them home and they went down to get their luggage, came back to the deck of the ship to get off and they realized that the parade of people were already gone. They had come to welcome Teddy Roosevelt.
Henry Morrison went to his hotel room with a heavy heart. As he sat there on the bed, he asked his wife, “Honey, I just don’t get it…for 40 years we poured our lives into ministry and service. And yet we come back to America and not a single soul comes to welcome us home!” His wife came and sat down next to her husband, she put her hand on his shoulder, and comforted him with words that he would never forget, “Henry, you have forgotten something, you’re not home yet!”
And may that be of comfort to you. It does not matter what takes place in this life, your reward is in heaven. Always remember, “You’re not home yet.”
(Contributed to Sermon Central by Brandon Park)
