When Less Is More

Mark 12:41-48

Is our giving to God like this?  We take what we have for ourselves and then give God the leftovers. Who are we most like in this parable?

Mark in 12:41 describes Jesus as sitting and watching people (12:41). Specifically, Jesus is watching the giving of worshipers. People visibly would voluntarily place money in the offering boxes. Jesus views both the rich placing large sums of money in the offering and the poor widow place two small copper coins in the offering. Is God watching how much we are giving?

Karoline Lewis, a Lutheran preacher and writer, has an interesting take on our scripture today. [1]Let’s take a look where this woman stands in this story.  Because it is where a lot of women end up.  Sandwiched between power and poverty. Between being ignored and being denigrated. Sadly It’s just where too many assume this woman should be and should stay.    Remember “The Christmas Carol”  when Scrooge says about the poor,

I help to support the establishments I have mentioned: they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there.” “Many can't go there; and many would rather die.” “If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”

It is tempting indeed to paint her portrait as one we should aspire to be like, giving her all.  When we are honest with ourselves, when we tell the truth, few, if any of us, are in the same position as the widow.  She is giving the last of her pennies to an institution that she trusts, the synagogue, to her God in whom she hopes.

Sure, we happily offer up portions of what we have, after some careful calculations, managing the risks. But there’s no way we are contributing our all — and we likely never will.  First, we examine our budgets, then we give, perhaps even less than we can afford.

This story is unnervingly spot-on when it comes to that which really gets our attention. Whom of us, if any, wishes to be her. If I was preaching “be like her,” I would be assuming that we can actually put ourselves in her shoes.  And if I or you think that’s true, then we are no better than the scribes – convincing ourselves that we are more altruistic than we actually are.

In so many instances, whether its loss, financial difficulties, job troubles, when people say “I understand what you’re going through”, when they never have experience it, we know it’s baloney.  Good intentions, perhaps, but the truth of it isn’t there.

So, if this story is not about giving more than you think you can, what is it about?

I think this story tells a truth about ourselves — that we are very good at ignoring the widow, just like we turn away from the homeless we see on the streets of Pottsville.  Sometimes it’s more about feeling good about ourselves than compassion, as we walk the line between a kind of mandated kindness and true mercy. Sometimes she becomes a lofty example so as to justify an “ask.”   Come on church members, look at her, what she gives, can’t you do more?

Jesus reveals here a truth about God. God sees right through our self-attentive ways, our tendency for self-preservation, even at the expense of others. We really don’t want to be like this woman -— because she has no power. Power is everything, is it not? At least the way our world functions these days. People will do anything to get power, and to maintain power, sell out their souls

The alternative can be powerlessness, and there you often have little choice but to place your trust, your hope, your livelihood in the existing authorities who claim they have your best interests at heart.

Yet, the widow’s mite spelled  MIGHT is great indeed. A might greater than power. A might greater than the grandest buildings. A might greater than the most splendid displays that are mostly privilege and entitlement in disguise.  Why is this?  How can this be?

Because the widow’s might is God’s might — a might known in love and loyalty. In giving and grace. And in dependence and dedication.  This is the kind of might we want to aspire to.

So.  Not so much about money. Here is a profoundly deep question.  What percent of your life to you give to Jesus?  Do you think it’s enough?  What would Jesus say about this if you asked him?

Are you all in?   Amen.