Perspective
Luke 21:1-6 NKJV
[1] And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, [2] and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. [3] So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; [4] for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” [5] Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, [6] “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”
What’s your motivation?
What motivated you to repent and believe the Gospels?
Why would we leave this world behind and all its riches to Follow a Man from Nazareth? What good comes out of Nazareth!
At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry He performed many amazing miracles. He healed, He delivered people with demons.
He would speak in the Synagogues with power and authority! All that witnessed were astonished by what this man was doing!
The motivation was to see more and more. To follow this man and see what He could do.
Then in His compassion He feeds the masses with a few fish and some bread.
And they ate until their bellies could no longer accept any more.
What was their motivation?
Signs, wonders, and food.
Many in the Church are still motivated by these things. They are severely missing the point.
What do you think this story is about?
In our minds sometimes we try to convince ourselves what Scriptures say to fit our lives.
If you said giving, commitment, sacrifice, worship, generosity, or faithfulness you would be in the highest percentile of believers.
Unfortunately you are wrong.
Some of those things might be in there, but that’s not what this is completely about.
What if I told you that this story is not just about giving.
What if I said that this is not entirely about giving with a cheerful heart.
Giving every last cent you have to God.
What if I told you that this is actually about judgement.
Luke 20:46-47 NKJV
[46] “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, [47] who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
Jesus brings condemnation on the Scribes. These were the teachers, the Scholars the ones to lead God’s people to Holiness and Righteousness.
But sometimes a little bit of power and attention makes us forget the purpose of it all.
They may have looked rich on the outside with their long robes. They may have impressed the unknowing with their long prayers, but on the inside Spiritually corrupt and dead.
The Lord says that they will receive a greater Judgement.
It would seem that Jesus’ judgment of the Scribes is based on their inner motivation and intentions. How does one judge such a thing?
How do you judge someone’s intentions?
How do you know someone’s long prayer is for appearance rather than being genuine and coming to the Lord with a pure heart and a genuine concern?
Putting faith behind their words and submitting them to the Throne of God and waiting.
Christ is not moved by long robes, long prayers with no faith.
In the Kingdom of God what is valued and important is so much different from the world.
The world sees extravagance and wants it. It hears lofty words and wants to listen. It shows us what a good life is and makes us want to chase after it.
No regard for what is best for the Kingdom of God but what is best for our crooked hearts. We live in a world that appears that the ones with status have a greater life.
So let me ask you this.
What is your perspective? How do you view things?
This story has been used many times to show the faith of this widow. Giving all that she has left into the temple treasury.
Her generosity.
Her faith.
How can someone that has so little give so much!
This is a widowed woman. After her husband dies she would have no means for income.
So many have taken this story to show the faithfulness of this poor widow and the unfaithfulness of the rich.
But was it the unfaithfulness to God’s Word by the Scribes and the Religious leaders?
Was this why The Lord says to beware. Was this why He cleansed the Temple?
Was this the reason their Judgement would be harsher than anyone else’s!
Jesus isn’t pointing out the widow as an example for us to follow, but He is pointing her out as an example of WHY.
He is about to bring judgement on the Temple and the religious system.
Jesus is not judging the widow.
He is not judging the wealthy for what they gave.
He is judging the religious system for abusing their authority and abusing their power in order to gain wealth that is camouflaged as pure religion and worship.
How amazing that this lady gives so sacrificially!
Many teachers and pastors will shape this story to show how she gave all she had to the Lord!
Jesus never says that what this woman did we should too.
He never commends her for her act of faith.
Jesus doesn’t make a judgment. He doesn’t praise the widow or condemn her. He only makes a statement of fact.
He does not turn to His Disciples and say ‘why do you not have such faith as this’.
If this is not about giving our very last penny with a cheerful heart then what is the about?
What can we learn from this woman?
You can’t buy your Salvation.
Maybe the widow gave out of obligations.
Maybe she gave out of a generous heart.
Perhaps she gave out of trust and hope.
Either way she gave it all.
Jesus saw the “poor widow” who sacrificed the only resources she had.
This widow, without knowing would be the representation of what was left in trusting in God in a world that has turned Godless.
It would be the quality of her faith.
What’s the quality of our faith today?
Does our faith stand firm against the world and its desires?
Or do we trust in our Father who sees in secret. The Scribes would not be offered Redemption anymore.
No more talks of Salvation.
II Chronicles 36:16 NKJV
[16] But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.
Let us not be a people like the Scribes using a form of Godliness sacrificing for self gain.
Seeming Faithful and Godly and Religious on the outside. But let us have the heart of this widow seeking to sacrifice all for the Glory of God!
Pastor Ed
