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.
B. Love is often demonstrated by what we do more than
by what we say
1) And I believe this poor widow woman is an
excellent example of that kind of heart & love
for God
2) True love for God is not selfish it is selfless and giving...this morning maybe you & I need to ask ourselves about our love for Him
(Not only Duty and Love) Thirdly, I want you to see…
III. She gave completely
This poor woman gave everything she had to God. She didn't hold anything back for herself
Illus: How many of you remember the story of Ananias and Sapphira in the book of Acts? Does anyone want to help me tell the story? Explain.
1) You see A & S were like these rich Pharisees we read about this morning; they wanted it to seem like they were giving completely to God, but the truth is they were keeping money back for themselves.
2) That is not to say that God expects you to always give every dime you ever make to Him, but He also doesn't want us pretending to be something we are not either.
B. She gave completely in this instance because she felt that
is what God would have her do.
1) It is so important to learn God's leading in
your life not only about giving but about your
everyday life.
Illus: Maranatha Baptist Church Bible School and the $20 bill in the offering. (Not giving it)
He wants to guide and direct you...Bible says Pro. 3:5&6 "Trust in the LORD with all
thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. " "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”
2) We only have a very short glimpse into the life of this woman and her situation, but it would appear that she endeavored to live by the principles of Pro.3:5+6!
(Not only Duty and Love and completely) The fourth reason is…
IV. She gave confidently (in faith)
This widow woman was confident that God saw her situation and knew all about her needs...and what's more is she believed HE would provide for them
1) I wasn't there that day so I can't say for sure, but I believe when she walked up to place her offering in the treasury that she had a smile on her face and a song in her heart knowing and believing God would provide for her needs!
2) Another reason I believe she was happy is that the Bible says in Il Cor. 9: 7 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. "
So, if Jesus saw fit to include her story in both Matthew and Luke's Gospel, she must have had a cheerful heart! #18 Slide
Illus: A mother wanted to teach her daughter a moral lesson. She gave the little girl a quarter and a dollar for church "Put whichever one you want in the offering plate and keep the other for yourself," she told the girl. When they were coming out of church, the mother asked her daughter which amount she had given. "Well," said the little girl, "I was going to give the dollar, but just before the offering the preacher said that we should all be cheerful givers. I knew I'd be a lot more cheerful if I gave the quarter and kept the dollar, so that's what I did." That wasn't exactly the lesson her mom was hoping she would learn.
B. We need to have the kind of heart for giving as this poor widow woman did in obedience and confidence in God.
1) The Bible doesn't go on to tell us the rest of her story, but don't you think for one minute that Jesus did not intervene for this woman
2) I have no doubt that He met her needs not only for that day but for every other day the rest of her life!
And He can and will do the same for you and me!
David in Bible said in Psalm 37:25 "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
Conclusion: We just need to be willing to do our duty and obey Him, love Him, give Him our all, and then be confident that He will keep His promises and provide for our needs. But boys and girls we also need to understand that there is so much more we can give to God beside our money. We can also give our #21 Slide time, talents as well as our treasures. And if we do God will abundantly bless us.
Drawing the Net: But one thing we haven't mentioned yet is that first you must give God your heart! I love what the picture says, “God knows to have your heart is to have you” How about you this morning? Does God have your heart and life? Let’s have every head bowed and every eye closed this morning.
Prayer and Invitation:
