( MARK 12:41-44 ) - [ Deutsch ] - [ Akündigungen761.21 KB ]
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
The watchword for the coming week is, “Walk as children of light for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true." | Eph 5:8b.9
But how will this become a reality?
We just heard the text underlying our sermon today.
At first sight, it’s all about money in these four verses. And it must be mentioned that what Jesus does in about the year 30 in Jerusalem is indeed somewhat indecent.
He just sits opposite the treasury (in German: “Gotteskasten” - God’s box) and watches the people.
“God’s box” – what a wonderful word that is. It shines much brighter than “collection bag“. God’s box also means that God has a certain share in that which is placed in the box. It is not just money that is needed somewhere. It is also part of my gratefulness, my thanksgiving that I bring before God. God has a share in the money that I place in the box. He gave me that which I can now share with others. Through God’s box I thank him for this.
But let us return to the temple: Jesus is sitting opposite the treasury and is watching the people. Just imagine one of our elders sitting at the entrance to our church watching everybody who places something into the treasury. But that is not all: Jesus even watches who places how much in this box. Jesus sees this. He sees the rich that put in large amounts. And he sees the poor woman who puts in only a small amount. Without a husband, lonely and poor, not knowing how to make ends meet.
So, Jesus starts pondering about this. And now he wants to share his thoughts with his inner circle. That is why he calls his disciples and explains to them what he had observed and what the disciples may only have seen in passing.
Jesus sees more than all the others. This has always been the case and still is to this day: He sees those that take some of their time and give their time for others. He sees those who support the poor and take food parcels to those who lack the very basics.
He sees those who stand up for peace and seek dialogue.
And he sees those who pray, who trust that this world can actually become a better place.
Jesus sees the love. The helpfulness. What she contributes from that which she has. How we contribute to building God’s kingdom. How we give from our surplus. Joyfully.
But he also sees when people withhold their talents, give less than they could and in the end consider themselves to be most important. Jesus sees and explains to his disciples that the poor widow whom they have just watched really put a lot of money into the temple treasury.
They may have looked somewhat confused. “Jesus, that is so naive? Can’t you do your calculations? Those few coins of the old woman – what are they worth in comparison to the large amounts of the rich? With those amounts you can do much good. Two small copper coins are but a drop on a hot stone.” But Jesus continues. He explains what he means and makes it very clear: How much a person gives is actually not all that important, but rather whether that which he or she gives is an offering.
The rich were rich and had more than they needed to make a living. Linguistically, “surplus” is defined as an amount of something left over when requirements have been met; and poverty is simply the lack of means. The woman of whom Mark writes was really poor. These two small copper coins that she had, she placed into “God’s box”. All that she had, her entire subsistence. Literally: her whole life. Without calculating what she would gain from this. Now she had nothing left. Now she would have to rely on the care of others.
A person who empties his wallet in this way, has stopped making plans for himself. The woman has no more security in her hands. But she does not cling fearfully to what little she has. For fear of missing out. She fully trusts God who holds her life in His hands and surely knows what plans He has for her.
The rich – yes – they put much into the treasury, but still had something left. They made sure that they would not fall short. Jesus just describes this. He does not judge this. He does not praise the widow and scold the rich. He simply notices something. And lets it up to each one him- or herself to draw the necessary conclusions from this, in the freedom of a Christian, and then to take the necessary steps.
And if we’re really honest: how naturally and unconcernedly do we often expect our dear God to be satisfied with that which is left after all our desires have been met. And then we simply give that.
Is such a thank-offering really an offering for us?
From a biblical perspective, the purpose of an offering is to support the poor, also poor congregations. But it seems to be about a whole lot more. Later Jesus will say that that which we have done for the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the prisoners, the naked, the foreigners, the sick – we have done for him, Jesus. When seen from this perspective, the small catechesis that Jesus gives his disciples in the temple of Jerusalem becomes an example of a change of perspective – away from the treasury, towards Jesus. Away from money that can make you rich, to Jesus who can change your life. And then the widow in the temple of Jerusalem becomes an example for all those who commit to ultimately living for Jesus.
You can reduce this story to money. And yes, it is true. Church is also about money. People need work and bread. We have a building that needs to be maintained. And there is nothing wrong with that. But the offering in church is to open our eyes for the plight of the world. And for projects that need our support. And for our brothers and sisters that we should not lose sight of. This applies to the church as a system, but also to each one of us personally. Jesus sees. And because he is our light, we can also see:
Those who need help, and we help.
We can see. We can help. We can. And we take the step and just do it. Like a stone that drops into the water or like a spark that ignites us, the good news of Jesus gives us momentum. I can actually bring about something through my life. And Nina, whom we baptised today, can too. And we all can.
"Walk as children of light for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true." | Eph 5:8b.9 Amen.
