The Widow’s Mite
Scripture: Numbers 18:20-21; Joshua 13:32-33; Malachi 2:4-9; Mark 12:41-44
Good morning Stranger’s rest! The title of my message this morning is “The Widow’s Mite,” and I will be sharing with you why this story is so important for all of God’s Churches’ financial accountability today.
Before I take you to the story, I want to set the stage so that when we discuss the widow’s offering you will understand not only why she did what she did, but also why Jesus brought her gift to the disciples’ attention and why He was not pleased with the situation. Yes, I do understand that we often use this story to get people to give sacrificially in the offering plate, so some of what I am going to share with you might come as a surprise. Actually, some of what I am going to share with you will be considered blasphemous in some Churches. So, we will first examine the role of the Levites.
The Levites were the tribe God chose to live near the tabernacle because they were responsible for everything that took place in the tabernacle, including the offering of the sacrifices for the people and for approving the animals the people brought forth to be sacrificed to God. They were also responsible for maintaining the tabernacle. According to the Bible, the Levites were not given an inheritance (land) in the Promise Land because their sole purpose was to serve God, so the other eleven tribes were responsible for taking care of their physical needs. Numbers 18:20-21 records, “(20) Then the LORD said to Aaron: ‘You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel. (21) Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.” Also, Joshua 13:32-33 records, “(32) These are the areas which Moses had distributed as an inheritance in the plains of Moab on the other side of the Jordan, by Jericho eastward. (33) But to the tribe of Levi Moses had given no inheritance; the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as He had said to them.”
In Numbers chapter eighteen, the duties of the Levites were explained and because of their duties, they were to be provided for by the other eleven tribes. God wanted the Israelites to revere the sacrificial nature of the service of the priests and other Levites, so God commanded them to bring a tithe of all their crops and of all their flocks and herds to the Levites. Many of these offerings were used as sacrifices, but after they were presented to the Lord, what remained was to be eaten. One tenth of all the increase of the Israelites, the first-fruits and the best of the first born of the flocks was to be the inheritance of the Levites. Now, before I continue, I want to remind you of what I just said. “One tenth of all the increase …” This is important and we will see why later in the message. From the tithe, the Levites gave a tithe to the priests selected from the best of what they had received. Thus, all the Levites and the priests were taken care of by the portion which God had provided for them through the other eleven tribes.
Now let us examine the situation that had arose later in their history that the prophet Malachi had to address. As we just read, God had made a promise to the tribe of Levi that they would be cared for by the other eleven tribes for all duration. But something had changed by the time the book of Malachi was written. The people had stopped paying tithes and bringing offerings because they had lost faith in God because of how their priests were living. You see, the people did not recognize the truth of God’s word or the binding contract they had to take care of the Levites because of the actions of their priests. In Malachi 2:4-9 God rebukes the priest. He told them, “(4) Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant with Levi may continue,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘(5) My covenant was with him, one of life and peace, and I gave them to him that he might fear Me; so he feared Me and was reverent before My name. (6) The law of truth was in his mouth, and injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity, and turned many away from iniquity. (7) For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. (8) But you have departed from the way; you have caused many to stumble at the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,’ says the LORD of hosts. (9) ‘Therefore I also have made you contemptible and base Before all the people, because you have not kept My ways but have shown partiality in the law.’”
God called out the priest who, because of their actions of not adhering to His commandments, had caused the people to stop giving. God was extremely specific as to how Levi walked before Him and these priests were not even close. So, God rebuked them for leading the people astray and then He rebuked the people. We are all familiar with what is recorded in Malachi 3:8-9. It says, “(8) Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. (9) You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.” God took His promise to the Levites very seriously so therefore when the people stopped supporting them because of how their priests were living it angered God. Now understand, even though the priest were not living up to God’s standards leading to God rebuking them, that was not an acceptable reason for the people to sin against God by not continuing to support the Levites with a tithe of their first fruits. What we see in the book of Malachi is that when the leadership stops following God and adhering to His word, the people will follow. Because of how the priests were living and not adhering to God’s Word, the people followed their example. Now this takes us to the widow’s mite.
Over the years, the story of the “widow's mite” has been used to show Christians what their attitude should be toward giving. As I think about my childhood memories of attending church, I do not recall hearing a single message about the widow’s mite even though it was brought up from time to time during offering. The point of talking about her was to make her the standard by which all of us were to examine ourselves when it came to giving our tithes and offerings. It was common for the pastor or visiting preacher to say something like, “This poor widow woman came to the altar and gave her last mite. She gave her last dollar. She gave all that she had, and she gave it to the Lord! What an example she is to us! How can we not do the same?” I want you to know this before I say anything else – She Was Not Our Example For Giving!” I am going to show you why the reverse should have happened; instead of her giving an offering, an offering should have been given to her.
First we need to understand what God’s directions were for taking care of widows. Deuteronomy 14:29 says, “And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.” God had made provisions for the widows and fatherless within their gates to come and eat of what was tithed to the Levites. Then, Deuteronomy 24:17 records, “You shall not pervert justice due the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow's garment as a pledge.” The Mosaic Law had specific commandments concerning the protection of widows. In this verse we see that it was prohibited to require a widow to use her clothes to pay off a debt. That is what the word “pledge” is referring to. Finally, God spoke this through the prophet Malachi, “And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, and against those who turn away an alien, because they do not fear Me,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 3:5) Everything that we have read in the Old Testament were commandments of God for how the priests were to treat widows. In summary, widows were to be protected and taken care of. So, as God rebuked the priests in Malachi for falling short of His word, He included how widows were being cared for. Now after this rebuke, you would think that they would get their act together, right? Well, we will now examine what Jesus said about the treatment of widows by the Church leaders leading us to the widow giving her last mite.
In Luke 20:46-47 from the Amplified Bible, Jesus warns the disciples by telling them, “(46) Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes [displaying their prominence], and love respectful greetings in the [crowded] market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. (47) These [men] who confiscate and devour widows' houses, and for a pretense [to appear devout] offer long prayers. These [men] will receive the greater [sentence of] condemnation.” (Luke 20:46-47) The word “devour” means “to eat down” and communicates a process that happens over time. The religious leaders, ever so slowly, would convince widows to give the synagogue the money that they would normally use to support themselves or their families. They would ultimately end up confiscating the widows’ homes. The religious leaders did this under the pretense of counseling them in the knowledge of the Law and in the management of their estates. They took advantage of their ignorance, their trust, and the fact that they had no one to care for them, and either extorted large sums for their counsel, or found a way to use the widow’s property for their own use. And Jesus said that the religious leaders doing this would “receive greater damnation.” And this brings us to the widow who gave her last to the Church.
Mark 12:41-44 records the following, “(41) Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. (42) Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. (43) So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; (44) for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.’” Remember what I said at the beginning about how the story of the widow and her giving is normally presented to the church? “Do you see this poor widow woman? She only has two little mites. She puts it all in for God! She puts in all she has for God, and you are complaining about the tithe!” The word “poor” in verse forty-three means “a beggar, destitute of wealth, influence, position and honor.” For all practical purposes, this widow was a beggar, but she gave all she had so that God would bless her. Do you remember that earlier in this message I said that tithes were to be given out of their first-fruits? This widow woman had no increase. She was poor. Now, I want you to see the comparison between the widow and the other givers because it carries significant importance for the Church today.
In verse forty-four, it says that the others gave out of their abundance. The word abundance means “leftovers.” Strangers Rest, “leftovers” mean “increase.” After the rich had paid all their bills, and spent money on the things they wanted, they still had money left over to put into the offering plate. In other words, they gave what they did not need. Do you see what is going here? God was not first. They gave to God out of the money that they had left over after they had bought what they wanted for themselves, and it was still a lot. And then Jesus said the widow was giving out of her poverty – giving money she needed to live on. The word describes “being destitute.” Jesus is telling us that the woman was giving money that she really did not have to give and that is the whole problem in this story. She was giving money that she could not afford to give because that is what she had been taught by these leaders who were devouring widows’ houses! This is what I want you to understand. The widow believed she had to do this for God to bless her. And not only that, but she put ALL, not SOME, of her money in the offering plate. To put it into today’s language: this widow put her rent money in the offering plate. She put the money she needed to pay her electric bill in the offering plate. She put her grocery money in the offering plate. Do you see the picture? The rich put in money that they had left over after they had paid their rent, after they had paid their electric bill and after they had bought their groceries. When we understand what God had commanded relating to the care of widows we find that this widow woman should not have been tithing at all because she did not have it to give!
Strangers Rest, God does not want you to put your rent money in the offering plate thinking He will bless you later for your faith. This is a violation of what God tells the believers at Corinth in Second Corinthians chapter nine verse seven which we will read shortly. God gets no glory when we cannot pay our bills. He gets no glory when we give our last to the Church and then come to the Church in need and then the Church cannot afford to help us because there is not enough money coming in to pay the Church’s bills. Do you see the problem Jesus was pointing out to His disciples? Instead of the widow woman giving her last, she should have come to the priests, who upon recognizing her situation, should have told her to not only keep what she had, but they would give her part of what they had according to the covenant God had made with the Levites. Now I want you to hear me closely on this point – EVERYONE cannot tithe and some of us can give more than a tithe. God does not expect people like this widow give the money they need to cover their basic living expenses to the Church! This was such an issue for widows that the New Testament Church established the role that we refer to as deacons. Have you ever considered “why” this role was established in the Church? Well let me tell you.
Acts 6:1-4 records the following, “(1) Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. (2) Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, ‘It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. (3) Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; (4) but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’” A complaint was made by the Hellenists that their widows were being neglected in the “daily” distribution. The Hellenists were those Jews of the dispersion who lived in countries where Greek was spoken, and who themselves spoke Greek. Their widows were not receiving their daily “provision” of food and other necessities that they were due. The apostles, because they understood that their jobs were to be in prayer and study of the word to feed the people spiritually, recommended that they select men who were of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to be over that business. In other words, the office of deacon was established to ensure that the needs of the widows were being met. Isn’t that interesting how this office was established to serve tables for widows? God made allowances for widows in His word and that has not changed.
Strangers Rest, as we continue to move forward in our growth and our desire for the best is yet to come, I want to pose an idea to you. When the New Testament Church was established, people gave so that everyone had enough. People did not limit themselves to giving a tithe. No, they gave whatever they could and as the Spirit led. So, some gave less while others gave more with the goal of everyone having what they needed to live on. Acts 4:32-35 records their mindset. It says, “(32) Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. (33) And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. (34) Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, (35) and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.” Do you see it? There were no big “I” or little “You” it was everyone being equal. If you had a need you came, and your need was met. If you did not have a need, you gave so the needs of others could be met. Imagine if we practiced this today. Would you, if you could, give more so that all the Church families in need had their needs met?
I want to pose this idea for you to pray about. We are coming upon the time of year when you will be working on your budget for next year. Second Corinthians 9:6-8 says, “(6) But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (7) So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” Now, let me read verse seven from the Amplified Bible. “Let each one [give] as he has made-up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion (the widow woman believed she HAD TO GIVE in order to receive God’s blessing), for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous ‘prompt to do it’) giver [whose heart is in his giving].” (Second Corinthians 9:7, Amp).
I want you to think of these verses as it relates to your budgeting process. This Church is comprised of people of faith. You walk by faith. So, I want to pose the idea to you that when you do your budget this year, in additional to your normal annual budget, make a faith budget. In a normal budgeting process, you examine what was brought in the door the previous year versus was went out the door. Based on this you establish your next year’s budget using the same methodology. Well, this methodology does not require much faith, nor does it allow God the opportunity to move within the church finances. Even worse, it does not expect God to move in the church finances. You expect a certain amount to come in from the congregation and you plan for a certain amount to go out. But my proposal for this next year is that in addition to your primary budget, that you also establish a faith budget.
So, what is a faith budget? A faith budget is where you outline all the needs of the Church that you do not currently have or expect to receive funds for based on previous giving patterns. Based on this assessment the Church come into agreement and believe God for those funds. Your faith budget could include the roof, the piano, parking lot and everything else that you might not have the funds for currently. This budget will require faith; it will require you to believe that God will supply the resources that you need. Remember Philippians 4:19 promises us that when we sow into God’s kingdom that God will “…. supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” He will do it! But this is what I need you to understand: what is so unique about God is that His Church and resources are not limited to just the people in this sanctuary. Remember what was recorded in the book of Acts about how the believers gave (so no one had a need) and what Paul in Second Corinthians said about a cheerful giver? God’s Church is not just Strangers rest so He has a much greater pool of resources to pull from to help you do His will!
This Church’s online viewership is growing as you are averaging 250-300 views of your Sunday services weekly. These viewers watch because they are being blessed, so who is to say once they know what the needs are in the congregation that God will not lay on their hearts to sow into this ministry that is being a blessing to them. We will never ask someone to donate and take funds away from their own Church, but there are times when people have extra that they can give after they have done what they are supposed to do for their home Church. And then there is each of you in this congregation. Some of you cannot afford to give as much as others and you should not be ashamed of that. Giving is a heart issue and that is why Paul wrote that every person must decide for themselves what they will give. For those of you who tithe, ask yourself if there are times when God has told you to give more than 10%. It is great to tithe, but if God is telling you to do more because you can then maybe you should think about it. And again, for those of you who cannot tithe, do not feel guilty. Do not believe that you are less than because of your financial situation because you are not. Remember, God does not need your rent, gas, food, or any other bill money. You are His child, and He wants your needs met first. If you cannot accomplish that on your own then you should be able to come to the Church for help. That is God’s design not mine.
So, Strangers Rest – are you willing to at least pray about a faith budget and start believing God to “(8) …. make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work”? I am!
Until next time, “The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
