THE WIDOW'S MITE

Introduction:
   1. Mark 12:41-44
   2. Have you ever marveled at the great things a poor widow
      accomplished with only two mites (Mite--1/3 cent).
   3. Do we ever imagine what we would have done, or take into serious
      account what we are doing with our "two mites."
   4. Usually we are inclined to say, "Well what is my little bit
      worth-- good or bad."
      (a) David -- 5 smooth stones and a sling.
      (b) Lad -- small lunch for a boy.
   5. The poor widow was not worried about how little she was able to
      give, but went to the temple for the purpose of WORSHIP.
   6. Think of how poorly she must have been dressed.
   7. Think of the chain of excuses that she could have given:

  I. "I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO WEAR."
     1. This was probably so, yet she did not offer the excuse.
     2. Many today offer this excuse, even some members of the church
        who have to be encouraged to assemble.
     3. The truth is that we can usually find something appropriate to
        wear any where else that we wish to go.
     4. "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a
        fall" (Prov. 16:18).
     5. Man's pride is a pitiful thing when it stands before God:
        (a) Jer. 49:16 -- pride deceives.
        (b) Prov. 13:10 -- "by pride cometh only contention."
        (c) 1 Jn. 2:16 -- pride is not of the Father.
        (d) Prov. 8:13 -- God hates pride.
     6. Surely we must be conscious of our pride everyday.
     7. This excuse is not offered by you, is it??
     8. Could clothes be keeping you from worship???

 II. "ALL THOSE RICH PEOPLE WILL BE THERE, AND THEY DON'T EVEN SPEAK
     TO ME."  She might have said this.
     1. But the poor widow knew the purpose of her going.
     2. She went in obedience to God's will, knowing He was no
        respector of persons.
     3. She was willing to suffer humiliation by others (if need be)
        to please Jehovah.
     4. She was humble about her service.
     5. So should we be!!!!
     6. We are not here to please mankind; at least we should not be.

III. "I'VE GOT WORK TO DO." She might have said.
     1. And if ever one would have been justified, wouldn't she??
     2. All the money she had was two mites, yet she gave.
     3. With all the luxuries that we have, how often we use the
        Lord's day for our own efforts.
     4. Could I, you, have ever offered this excuse???

 IV. "I'VE GOT TO REST."
     1. Most likely she had worked hard all week, making bare
        necessities of life. She needed a day of rest.
     2. Many work so hard for the luxuries of life, that they must
        take the Lord's Day to rest.
     3. So difficult to get up in time to worship God, but can get up
        in time to be on the job the other days of the week. You see,
        there is a pay check for those other days. Have we ever
        considered there is going to be a pay check for the Lord's Day

  V. PERHAPS SHE DIDN'T HAVE A WAY.
     1. Most of us have no problem in this area.
     2. If we need a ride to work, what do we do?  We ask.
     3. Should do the same if we need a ride to worship our God.
     4. The point: We usually do what we really want to do.

 VI. PERHAPS MANY OTHERS:
     1. "I have a tooth ache, toe ache, head ache, etc."
     2. "I'll never be missed anyhow."
     3. Perhaps men will not miss you, but what about Christ??
     4. Whom are we seeking to please?  With whom are we wanting
        approval???
     5. No doubt there have been many other excuses offered for not
        worshipping our Creator.

VII. BUT SHE WENT, THAT WAS A GOOD STEP. Surely the rich would be
     there, the rulers, the leading people of the community, etc.
     1. If she had considered giving her two mites when no one was
        looking, she would have been disappointed--CHRIST SAW HER!!!
           He is watching us also; where we go, what we do, what we
        say, with whom we associate, our every action.
     2. He sees us as we give.
     3. She had only two mites -- such a paltry amount.
        (a) Perhaps she could give one, keep one (50%)
        (b) She surely needed it--compared to our way of thinking.
        (c) "Look at the rich, they have much to spare, let them
            give."
        (d) Yet, she realized her individual responsibility. Though
            she had so little, she felt the obligation to give.
        (e) Too many expect to go to heaven on what the church is
            doing and not on what they are doing as individuals.
        (f) We shall not be judged as a group, a congregation; but,
            upon what we, each one of us, do.
     4. She gave ALL OF HER LIVING.
        (a) What faith:  What would she do for a living tomorrow??
        (b) She was not ashamed of the little she gave.
     5. JESUS WAS WATCHING: Watching how the people put into treasury.
        (a) Jesus loves a cheerful giver. Cannot be given grudgingly.
        (b) He was so touched that He, "Called his disciples unto Him"
            and taught them a valuable lesson that has lasted for ages
        (c) Not only is there a lesson on worship (giving), but on
            teaching also.
              Many today say, "I just cannot teach." That's wrong.
              We teach something to someone with every deed we do.
              It may be good, it may be evil, but we teach.
              Widow did not say a word, as fare as we know.
        (d) It was her DEED that did the teaching, continues to teach.
        (e) If we put our good deeds into action, someone will take
            notice and put them into words.

Conclusion:
   1. When we think of all that she did with two mites, and the faith
      to give them, it should inspire us to do even more.
   2. Could any of us be guilty of offering any of these excuses???
   3. If so, may we see the error, correct our thinking.
   4. But, you must be a child of God if you would receive blessings
      from above.

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