March 23, 2014
Morning Service

Luke 21:1-4.

 

            Each day now brings Jesus closer to His destiny at Calvary.  The things He teaches, and the confrontations He has with the religious leaders just adds fuel to the fire of hatred, and envy they have for Him. 

·         He road into Jerusalem with joy, and praise, this upset the leaders.

·         He cleansed the temple, this upset the leaders.

·         They ask Him concerning His authority, and the answer He gave them made them look foolish to the people, this upset them.

·         He told them a parable concerning authority, and rejecting authority, and this upset them.

Everything He is doing is accomplishing what must be done to accomplish the plan of salvation.

This morning as we look at the story of the Widow’s mite, this also would upset certain ones that think they give a great deal to God’s work, until they look at it like Jesus did.

 

Luke 21:1-4;

Luk 21:1-4  And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.  (2)  And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.  (3)  And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:  (4)  For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

NOW FOR COMPARRISON:

Mar 12:41  And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. Mar 12:42  And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. Mar 12:43  And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: Mar 12:44  For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Now Jesus is teaching in the temple.  There are lessons to be learned by just watching and observing what goes on, and how people act, and what they do.  The Word teaches us that we are not to judge, but to be fruit inspectors.  That is, to beware when people do, or act differently from what the Word teaches, and also, when they do what the Word teaches.

Jesus uses the act of giving to teach a lesson:

            Giving to the Lord’s work is a responsibility of all Christians.  As this illustration shows us.  There were rich men putting in a lot offering, and then there was the poor widow that put in a small amount, but all she had.  It’s very easy to understand that she made a much greater sacrifice in giving than they did.       GIVING ALL.  ISN’T THAT FAMILIAR?

There is more than just one lesson from this example:

In the beginning, these people that Jesus uses in this example, were commanded to give for the work of God.  They were living under the laws, God gave Moses to give to the people.

 

Let’s look at some of these laws:  The book of Leviticus is the book of the laws.

First of all the TITHE= The tenth part of any thing; but appropriately, the tenth part of the increase annually arising from the profits of land and stock, allotted to the clergy for their support.  Webster.

 

SCRIPTURES:

Lev_27:30  And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.

Lev_27:32  And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

Num_18:26  Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.

·         YOU SEE, AT THIS TIME, THE NEED WAS TO SUPPORT THE TRIBE OF LEVI, WHO WERE TO TAKE CARE OF THE THINGS OF THE TABERNACLE.  THE HOLY THINGS, OR THE WORSHIP OF GOD.  IT WOULD BE LIKE SUPPORTING THE ONES WHO LOOK OVER THE THINGS OF THE CHURCH IN NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY.        NOW NOTICE.

Deu_12:17  Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:

·         AS YOU CAN SEE, THE PEOPLE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT NOT ONLY WERE REQUIRED TO GIVE A TITHE, OR A TENTH OF THEIR POSSESSIONS, BUT FREEWILL OFFERINGS AS WELL.

I HAVE HEARD IT SAID THAT THEY ACTUALLY GAVE MORE THAN 35% TO THE WORK OF THE LORD.

 

First of all, every child of God should want to support the work of God.  Since we are not under the law of Moses, and we are the New Testament church, why should we be expected to give to God’s work, and how should we give.

·         In the early days of the church, there was not a need for some of the expenses we have today.  The number one reason for giving was to help the poor Christians.

Rom_15:26  For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

1Co 16:1  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

·         We must remember that the early Christians were still to give according to the laws of Moses.  Until they eventually were cast out of the temple, and the fellowship of the Mosaic law.  That is Judaism.

·         The other reason for giving was to support the ministers of the gospel.

1Co 9:6  Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

1Co 9:14  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

TODAYS REASONS FOR GIVING:

The church has evolved to the point of having a central place of worship, such as the temple, and it requires upkeep.  The same costs that you have with your home, the church has for it’s upkeep.  This is all our responsibilities.

God does not expect you to give as did the widow, but He does expect us to give according as we have been blessed.

2Co 9:6-7  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  (7)  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

            You tell me from your studying, is God more pleased with you giving of what you have left over, or of your giving to Him first?  This is something you must settle in your own heart.

 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, help us to see that Your ways are just, holy, and good, and that the giving of ourselves totally to You, is a reasonable, and rewarding service.