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THROW DOWN THE GAUNTLETS (MARK 12:41-44)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Throw down the gauntlets”. Throw down the gauntlet is an idiomatic expression which means to challenge or confront someone. Jesus threw down the gauntlets when He told the disciples the true essence of giving at the place of worship. Jesus helps us to identify two types of givers. One, some people give because they have enough or they have in abundance, and two, some people give wholeheartedly, even within their limited resources or out of scarcity.

Firstly, giving among many Christians reflects the first kind of givers. In other words, giving out of abundance or to demonstrate the state of abundance. Our fundraising has been designed or structured in a manner to allow “Many rich people throw in large amounts” (Mark 12:41).  While this not bad idea, Jesus describes them as “They all give out of their wealth” (Mark 12:44). What Jesus was actually talking about is that, regardless of the large amount the rich gave at the temple, it was not a true reflection of their ability and faithfulness to God. Before the eyes of other worshippers, the money the rich donated is huge, but before God, it is a mere show off and demonstration of wealth, but not a reflection of their true stewardship and faithfulness to God. We are reminded in 1 Samuel 16:7 that “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” In other words, the actions of a person may appear genuine, but God looks at his or her heart and judges him or her justly. We may have to relook at our mode of fundraising in our churches. In other words, we must eschew the kind of fundraising that places attention on the worshipper rather than the Worshipped. We must not give to impress people but to impress God. Giving to impress God means giving in a manner that reflects one’s faith. In other words, we may be rich, but we must give like the poor widow. Just as we are being invited to give genuinely from our hearts, let us also give God the substance of our time and talents and render services to Him genuinely in the house of God and wherever the Lord directs us.

On the other hand, the very people who are usually overlooked or hardly appreciated in our churches during giving and fundraising events are the people who give out of their limited resources or poverty. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44). It should be noted that Jesus did not commend the poor widow because she was poor and made an effort to give. Some poor people give sparingly, using their poverty as an excuse. Jesus commended the poor widow for giving as an act of faith, that regardless of her poverty, she faithfully gave out substantially or what Jesus termed as “put in everything- all she had to live on”. Can the rich also give in this manner? Jesus challenges the rich to give as if they were poor and actually give out of their wealth or substance. This kind of mentality and giving mindset is what will measure the worth of our stewardship and giving.

My dear friend, do you give because you have in excess, or do you give because you want to share the little you have? The widow’s giving reflects God’s love for the world, in that “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God’s giving shows us the perfect example of sacrificial giving which is borne out of love and done out of scarcity. God did not have two sons and gave one out, He gave out”…His one and only Son…” (John 3:16). The question to reflect over again is do you give out of abundance or do you give out of your limited resources? Many Christians have fallen into the temptation of not giving until they have in abundance but immediately God blesses them to become rich, they create the impression that they are giving their best out of the abundance. May the Lord bless us and find us worthy stewards when Jesus returns the second time.

In summary, Jesus throws down the gauntlet on our understanding and practice of giving. We have discovered that we must not give out of abundance but sincere heart. Giving must be genuine and must reflect our faith, stewardship, and faithfulness to God. Shalom.

PRAYER

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” Amen. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)