Jesus Is Watching!

In Mark 12:41 we read the surprising statement that Jesus sat where He could intentionality look at what people were financially giving to God. This may surprise us if we wrongly believe that God is not interested in how we spend our money or in the financial aspects of our lives. But in this account we see that God the Son is very focused on these things.
     
  It is surprising that Jesus even notices the specifics of what people are giving for the offering time in the temple was usually crowded and loud as numerous coins were clattering into the bottom of the receptacle. In this loud moment Jesus notices that which would not have seemed important to anyone else. As the “multitude” were putting money into the receptacle and as many rich people were putting in large sums of money Jesus focuses on a poor widow. She doesn’t have much for she is “poor,” therefore starvation is always a possibility, and to add to her plight she is a “widow,” she has no advocate in a male dominated society. Her present situation is bleak. The immediate question is why even look at this giver?

Yet Jesus continues to watch her and sees that she gives only two small copper coins which is only worth a penny! Her gift was so small that it was probably not even heard in the midst of the loud outpouring of funds. We could easily think, “What a waste of one’s time and money. With such a little offering it is not even worth a trip to the treasury. Especially when you are facing starvation!”

Have you ever felt that way? You may not have much and wonder if your giving even matters. You may be barely making it and wonder how can you give and still make ends meet. But please don’t miss the key point of these verses—Jesus is watching!  Never underestimate your giving to the Lord based on how it compares with others.  Never refrain from giving to the Lord because He knows what you have and will bless your trust in Him.

Please note that God is still looking at what we give for He knows that how we handle money is a litmus test of our true character and a measure of our true spiritual walk. Our stewardship of our money and our possessions becomes an accurate read of our spiritual lives.

The story does not tell us, but I am sure that all this poor widow’s needs were taken care of after her sacrifice. Remember, there is no sacrificial gift you can give to God that does not get His attention and His blessing. Step out and believe God and see how He responds—‘O Taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge [trusts] in Him!’ (Psalm 37:4).