What do we learn from the widow? We learn how to be dependent upon God.
Sometimes Christians fall into thinking that the Christian life is like a child growing up. As they age, children are supposed to become more independent and self-sufficient, needing their parents less and earning their own way. This, however, is not how the Christian life works. We don’t outgrow God. We’re never to move out of God’s house. We don’t become independent. Rather, we grow like roots deeper into our dependence on God. We become more aware of our need, more cognizant of all he does for us, more conscious that the Christian life is a gift and not wage.
The widow and her mite are famous thanks to Jesus, even though we don’t know her name. She teaches us much more than how to help the church meet the budget, though. She teaches us about faith more than finances. She teaches us about Christian freedom.
Mark 12, which captures Jesus’ teaching in the temple, is in many ways about failed efforts at independence. It begins with the parable of the tenants. Their master had built them a wonderful vineyard, more than they deserved. When it came time to acknowledge him, however, they rebelled. They saw the vineyard as a wage and not a gift. They focused on their work and not the master’s. They got it all backward.
We grow like roots deeper into our dependence on God.
After this, some Pharisees and Herodians ask Jesus about paying taxes. He tells them to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and God what is God’s. What is due to God? Is Jesus asking for taxes or tithes? Certainly not. His opponents, however, were too focused on their desire for independence, from Rome and from God. They were stuck on the law.
Next, some Sadducees ask Jesus a nonsensical question about marriage and the resurrection. They try to lawyer up about the ultimate gift. They use the law to mock the gospel. Jesus wants nothing to do with it. God is the God of the living, and Heaven doesn’t need lawyers.
A teacher of the law then comes to Jesus with a question. “What’s the greatest commandment?” he wants to know. Jesus gives a famous answer. We should love God and love our neighbor. The teacher commends him. He was close to the kingdom of God. He just needs to get beyond the “do.” He needs to turn from his works to the Savior who stands in front of him.
Jesus then talks about the Messiah. Would he be David’s son or Lord? Of course, Jesus is both. Jesus is true man and true God, for us. Jesus is a divine gift in human flesh, born of David’s line, begotten of the Father from all eternity, for us. This truth grounds everything.
Jesus then warns about sinners who seek righteousness by the law, which turns them cruel as they seek honor and exploit others. With flowing robes and overflowing pride, they expect to always be celebrated. Righteousness by the law can’t help but compare, rank, and judge.
Now we come to the widow. Are we supposed to believe Jesus gets suddenly concerned about the offering plate, instituting Stewardship Sunday, or giving us a passage to put on offering envelopes? Sure, there are applications for stewardship, but is that the main point?
Jesus parks himself by the treasury and watches people putting their offerings in the box. The rich put on a show, impressing the masses. It doesn’t, however, impress God. What need has God of their offerings, as the prophets so often pointed out? Who is lucky to have what they do, God or the rich? And yet how independent the rich were, throwing God some of their leftovers! Jesus, as always, sees through the show, and Jesus, as always, sees something many missed. He sees the widow and he makes sure to tell his disciples about her, distracted as they might have been by the rich.
What do we learn from the widow? We learn how to be dependent upon God. She gave what she had because she knew God had given it, that it was gift, and she was free through faith. She knew whose vineyard she lived in. She knew this life, and what comes after it, isn’t a wage. She knew of her poverty, but she also knew of her riches in Christ. The rich would have devoured her and widows like her if they had the chance, Jesus warned, but she feared no one but God, and she feared him with faith, not fret.
You are free. All you are and have is a gift. Don’t grow out of your dependence on God. Rejoice in it, and grow into it. Delight in what he gives and know that he who gave you his only Son will not then deny you what you need. He has built you a wonderful vineyard, his humble church, and has taken you as his bride for all eternity in the same. He is greater than any Caesar who might make a claim on you, David’s son and David’s Lord. He is your riches in poverty and his gift is great even when yours is small.
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