Mark 12:41-44 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.… I. CHRIST'S NOTICE OF APPARENTLY TRIVIAL THINGS. This is not incompatible with true greatness. Things are not always as trivial as they appear. The fact affords encouragement to those whose means are small and whose opportunities are few. II. THE NATURE OF TRUE BENEVOLENCE. 1. It is unobtrusive. The widow did not want to be observed. "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men," etc. The gifts most acceptable to God do not always appear in the subscription list. 2. It is spontaneous. "The Lord loveth a cheerful giver." Love must rule us in giving, as in other matters. The word charity stands for love. 3. It is self-denying. God is best pleased when our gifts cost us something. He judges less by what is given than by what is left behind. 4. It involves trust in God. She cast in all that she had. Faith asks no questions. It concerns itself with present duty, and leaves the future with God. Have you of your abundance or of your penury cast into the treasury? If Christ gave Himself for you, is it unreasonable that He should ask you for your money? (Seeds and Saplings.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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