"A Heart for Giving" - a sermon on Luke 21:1-6

1. Another day at the temple. We left Jesus last week teaching in temple, having cleared out the sellers and money-changers, trying to reveal to those with the ears to hear and the eyes to see what God was truly about. At the beginning of chapter 21, we see Jesus taking a break from his teaching long enough to notice gifts being brought to what is termed “the treasury”. This “treasury” would have been an area in the temple set aside for various collections. Apparently in this particular temple treasury there was thirteen trumpet-shaped collection boxes, each bearing an inscription indicating the use to which its contents would be put (Morris). First he saw the parade of rich people bringing their gifts, then he saw a “poor widow” coming forward. She must have been dressed in a certain way that made it obvious that she lacked the financial support of a husband so necessary in that culture. This “poor woman” put in two small copper coins. These would have been worth very little to most people, coins you’d throw in a dish at home and forget about, or without thinking give as a tip to the pizza delivery driver. But of course this was a great sacrifice for this particular woman; and Jesus judged this small amount to be greater than all the other gifts combined. 2. What was so remarkable about this poor widow’s offering? (a) A higher percentage / a greater sacrifice – the gift of this “poor woman” was likely to be a much greater percentage of her income than it was for any of the rich that had given. This woman’s gift was a greater sacrifice than the “rich” had made (no matter how much they gave) because of her limited resources and basic poverty. If the value of a gift was assessed in terms of what was left for the person themselves (rather than what was given), then certainly this woman had given the gift of greater value. Darrell L Bock writes, “... real giving happens when one gives sacrificially”. (b) Heart attitude / basic trust – it seems that while the rich had the ability to give without a second thought or any sense of inconvenience (because it just didn’t hurt), this “poor woman” was moved to give out of a conscious commitment to God. Even though the use of the temple funds were unlikely ever to produce practical help for her (the way things were being run), this “poor woman” gave anyway ... in the knowledge that this benefitted the depth of her relationship with God. Sincere giving connected her to the heart of God. And this “poor woman” had made a statement in her giving, that no matter how bad things were, she was prepared to trust in God. In one way we admire her, but in another way we should be shocked that this woman, in giving so much, then becomes even more vulnerable – she was actually increasing her personal hardship. Jesus may be commending the woman’s sacrifice, as is often taught, but Jesus would equally be lamenting this woman’s situation in life (and the fact that she herself was obviously not being helped). One could only hope that those who were there that day witnessing this event and hearing what Jesus said, would get the point and begin to emulate this woman’s attitude. She had clearly reflected on God’s place in her life and responded in line with this. By her actions this “poor woman” had clearly challenged a temple system unconcerned for the poor, the needy, the orphan and the alien. And she had challenged the “rich” as to whether their giving was through unthinking compulsion or selfish restraint, or, on the other hand, a generous heart. (c) Prophetic statement – so there is also here a prophetic critique by Jesus about the gap between the rich and the poor. Jesus is wanting us to face up to the absurdity and blasphemy of those who love building wealth while others live in poverty. But we only clearly get this if we look at the context. So we read back three verses – Luke 20:45-47 and hear the scandal at the beginning of verse 47 concerning the “scribes” – the teachers and legal experts of the temple – “They devour widow’s houses, and for the sake of appearances say long prayers”. That is to say, that through their economic activity and desire for more wealth, the rich “scribes” in effect ‘rob’ defenceless widows of their houses and quality of life. It has even been suggested on this that certain “scribes” may have taken up roles as legal trustees for widows and then either mismanaged or downright cheated them out of their property, or that certain “scribes” gave loans that were impossible to pay back and subsequently foreclosed on poor widows, or that through their elevated position took financial advantage in some way or other of the vulnerable. No wonder the poor widow’s offering was much more highly rated. But also we are here confronted with the perversion of the inequality in the economic life of society, and should be horrified that this was being aided and abetted by those who were supposed to be leading people toward God. This scripture actually shows more than just the “poor woman” setting the example of right giving, but also shows that this woman should not have been so poor in the first place (if the priorities of the community were better and more Godly)! The gifts of the rich should have been changing the situation of this “poor woman” for the better. But where were the gifts actually going?? Verse 5 (of chapter 21) gives a real hint. One could imagine that the spending of vast sums on the over-adornment of a building was about certain people wanting to feel good about themselves and how they were especially blessed by God, and how special they were. But this was all so external! In reality injustice was rife, and it was so difficult for outsiders to even find a place to pray. The beautification of the temple and all its excess (as we read on into verse 6) is actually worthless and will amount to nothing. Worse than this, it is actually blasphemous when it stands in the face of the homeless poor. May injustice bow to Jesus, as we walk before the cross. It is the great irony of this passage, that a “poor woman” teaches us what our attitude to the poor should be!! God seeks giving and generous hearts to make up for the inequities that exist in society. Such hearts will lead us toward change in small ways – the immediate response to presenting need; but also in big ways – as such attitudes become more commonplace and widespread. Giving takes us right into the heart of God. 3. Thank-you for giving. Each of us has no doubt given of ourselves and given of our resources in a variety of ways to help those in need and advance the cause of Jesus. Giving of course is not just about money, or sharing our resources, but also about sharing our life. As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become so dear to us” (1 Thess. 2:8). This is a giving of encouragement, solace and practical support. In God’s Kingdom here on earth, widows will be supported, along with the orphan, the homeless, the unemployed and the refugee, by those of us who have been given so generously of God’s grace. So I reflect on this church’s recent journey. We have given, but then there is so much to give to. We have given time and effort and creativity in a variety of outdoor marquees and classrooms, so that children and families might get just a sense of light and hope and Jesus. We have given Bibles so that homes may have somewhere to turn for ultimate truth. We have listened to people’s stories. We have shared life experience so that others might grow. We have cooked biscuits for prisoners and given toys for their families. We have sown dolls for stricken children overseas. We have packed Christmas treats in shoe-boxes that have gone far afield, where gifts can be a rarity. We have seen the big picture of global desperation and responded as God has convicted us. We have offloaded our excess to support the Morrison’s op-shop. We have sacrificed our gold coins for the sake of greater need. We have banded together to help a family divided by conflict and addiction, and found God able to bring energy and resolve in the midst of trauma and tiredness. We have rejoiced with those who rejoice and wept with those who weep. We have prayed for those in need and experienced God’s wonderful undertaking. We have offered God’s love, acceptance and teaching to our children and young people, so that they might truly know Jesus. Sometimes we have failed, but sometimes we have really helped. Giving allows us to discover the good that can emanate from within us, even from our weary souls. And our giving can reach right up to heaven and have eternal significance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrdJ2V3r7Y. Giving and receiving is the essence of the Gospel story ... God gives, we receive; we give, others receive, we receive again! We can only be generous givers as we enter deep in to the heart of God – the greatest giver. Jesus at great sacrifice has given us all the ultimately important gifts – access to forgiveness, freedom from the fear of death, bringing hope and purpose in living. It is God’s heart for giving that should inspire us in our daily living, and in our every interaction with the world. Today the “poor woman” of Luke 21 inspires us in our giving. The sum total of her “two small copper coins” didn’t buy very much, but her heart attitude speaks volumes and brings us to tears. In one simple act, she faced off against hypocrisy and injustice, and declared that the Kingdom of God is not about beautiful temples nor self-satisfaction, but about addressing human need.