Amount Fixation

July 9, 2020

Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44 NLT

Jesus was pointing out in a very direct way in this famous story that it’s not the amount, it’s the sacrifice. Often this very famous story is twisted to say that any amount matters or is good enough. That’s not why Jesus pointed out the discrepancy in the amounts at all. He illustrated that ability is far more important and significant than amount.

The rich people had the ability to drop in large amounts. Other places in the gospels Jesus refers to the fact that they did it very publicly and flashily, just as they prayed loudly and in the open to be seen and admired. But their gifts were just that—gifts. They were neither generous nor sacrificial. They were just part of their surplus. It cost them nothing to give what they gave. Life went on without any hindrance for them.

But the widow had so few resources—just this little coin—yet she gave it all. Jesus was always focused on ability, not amount. Another story of a poor woman shows it. Mark records what happened. Jesus was at a dinner party hosted by Simon, a wealthy man. He was there with Simon’s friends. In the middle of the dinner a poor woman somehow got entrance into the dining room, broke open a very expensive jar of perfume, and poured it over Jesus’s head. No one could miss seeing that! Scholars tell us that the perfume was probably a family inheritance, meant to be used for burial. Without thinking of her future needs, how she could sell it or even use it for her own burial, she poured it on Jesus as a sign of honor and devotion. Instead of being wowed by this gift, some of the well-off people at the table began criticizing her and saying she shouldn’t have wasted the perfume in this way—she should have done something practical with it.

Jesus immediately weighed in on it. He said, “She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time” (Mark 14:8). What she could. What a testimony! Isn’t that what you would like Jesus to say about you? You did what you could. You gave according to your ability.

• What’s most important to you—amount or ability?
• If Jesus spoke to someone about your giving, would He feel like you concentrate on amount or ability?
• Pray: Ask God honestly if there needs to be some changes in your life.