18th September 2026

18th September 2026


Pray (ACTS)


Read - Mark 12:41-44


Message Alan Burke 


Today we come to a passage that is often referred to as ‘The Widow’s Mite’. The day before, Jesus had condemned the people for what they had made the temple into, and now he commends the sacrifice of a widow who comes. This takes place in what was often referred to as the court of women, as it was as far as women could go in the temple courts, and it was where the treasury of the temple was. Around it there were boxes, thirteen of them, with what were shaped like trumpets on the top, that flared out from the bottom. These were known as alms boxes where the people placed their free will offering. These were important; God himself instituted them,  it was there as a provision of God, this is how the priesthood was funded as well as the temple, and the work among the people of the land, and the people gave just as we give our free will offering that supports the church; the more they gave, the more could be done, and likewise with our giving. 


So as Jesus is watching people, there are some who were evidently rich who threw large amounts, and then there was a widow who threw in but two coins. They were of little value, the least in the currency at the time.  Jesus draws our attention to this not to pity her poverty but to show her generosity; this woman who gave was showing the reality unlike the teachers of the law; she was an example of a genuine faith. She was such a contrast to the scribes, such a contrast even to those who gave generously; she was one without honour unlike the teachers of the law and those who had much, yet she was willing to give to God that which was costly to her. 


What do we here learn from the window offering, because Jesus draws our attention to it as an example? Well, I think it’s this: our giving is not measured by count, but by cost; it is not measured by its amount but by its portion, not by what is given but by what is kept, not by money but by spirit. So does what you give cost you? Is your giving proportionally significant? Is it greater than what is kept aside that you have stored away for a rainy day? Does your giving show where your heart is? Sadly, I have come across individuals in the past who are happy to give nothing or a nominal amount a year and demand everything in return, and there is a truth our money tells. 


Jesus, though, talks more about money than he does about faith and prayer combined. Eleven of the 40 parables were about money; he used money to teach spiritual truth, he compared the kingdom of heaven to riches, and many other examples. Why does Jesus seem to care so much about money?


Simply because there is a truth our money tells. The truth it tells is of the reality within. You may not like that comment, but it is true. This lady gave; she gave, and it was costly to her. When was the last time for any of us our giving to the work of the Church of Christ was costly? We might have all the appearance, but what about the reality? For you know the reality is everything for us. Jesus taught so much about money because for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt 6:21). There is a truth our money tells. It tells the truth of the reality within. You may not like that comment, but it is true. 


This lady who gave her two copper coins did so at a cost to herself. When was the last time for any of us that our giving to the work of the Church of Christ was costly? Consider what has been done for you, brothers and sisters; your salvation has come at such a great cost, one that your money could not buy. The reality for us, those who have responded to the claims of Christ, is that we have a different attitude to earthly possessions, and the standard for us is much greater than the principle of tithing, for we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. When we know who God is and what he has done, we should give according to our means. The gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have (2 Cor 8:11-12). 


Pray (ACTS)


Sing


WSC
Q69 What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto.
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