The Widow With The Two Coins

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.

~Mark 12:41

Why would Jesus watch people putting money into the offering?  What do you think he was looking for?

• to see who is more generous in giving to the church

Picture yourself in this scene: You're in the temple, putting your offering into the receptacle.  You don't know it, but Jesus is watching.  What does he see?

• he sees a person giving willingly and faithfully out of thanksgiving

But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

~Mark 12:42

The trumpet-shaped receptacles for offerings were made of metal.  Compare the difference between the sound of the widow's offering with the sound of the offerig of the rich.  Who do you think was most noticed by the crowd?  Who did Jesus notice?

• the crowd notices the rich, but Jesus notices the widow

What did Jesus see about the woman that others in the crowd missed?  What might Jesus see about you that others around you might miss?

• a thankful woman despite her financial issues
• a person with many gift she can give to the wolrd

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

~Mark 12:43-44

What was significant about the widow's offering?  Why do you think Jesus pointed the widow's offering out to his disciples?  What did he want them to think, to understand?

• she gave all the money she had to the church
• that she had great faith in God

How does the widow's offering compare to the offering that Jesus was about to make?  What was similar about it?  What was different?

• close to the same
• Both won't be giving much
• Jesus doesn't give anything

In one sentence, summerize what the Holy Spirit is teaching you through this story.

• Don't be afraid to give everything you have to God