Mark 12:41
If Jesus were to walk into your life today, do you know where the Bible says He would sit in order to observe your behavior?
WWJD? Have you ever wondered what Jesus would do if He walked into a gathering of His people today? If Jesus came in the flesh to visit the place you gather with His people this week, where would He sit? What would He look for?
WWJS? Where Would Jesus Sit? When the saints gathered, where did Jesus choose to station Himself? Where did Jesus sit in the gathering of saints? Does the Bible answer this intriguing and important question?
If Jesus came, where would He choose to sit and what would He choose to do? Exciting question isn’t it? The following text reveals the insightful answers to these important questions:
“And Jesus … taught in the temple … 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. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.” Mark 12:35, 41-42
Where did Christ choose to sit? “Jesus sat over against the treasury.” The “treasury” is the place where people gave or didn’t give their monies. Jesus notices who gives and who doesn’t give. Among those who give, He looks at their heart, whether they are “cheerful givers” (2 Cor. 9:7).
Do you think He observes those who don’t give? Of course He sees.
What did Jesus do while observing those giving? Among the many things that were going on, which of the people’s activities did our LORD choose to observe? “Jesus…beheld how the people cast money into the treasury.”
What was transpiring as people decided how they were going to steward their monies? “…many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.”
What was Christ’s judgment of this matter? What was His conclusion concerning the “rich” who “cast in much” and the “poor widow” who gave all she had? Here it is: “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: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want (lack) did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Mark 12:43-44
The rich tipped God out of their discretionary income, while the “poor widow” gave all. Jesus was pleased in her and not with them. The monies they retained instead of using for the LORD’s work would be used as a testimony against them on that Great and Terrible Day of His Holy Judgment (James 5:1-6).
Cable TV, soft drinks, movies, candy items, cars, houses, etc. are luxury items. These things aren’t necessarily sinful (in many cases they are sinful), yet God looks at how we steward the monies and possessions He gives us. If we have nothing to give, perhaps it is because we have sold ourselves to the things of this fleeting world by deciding to allot funds to fund things that do not bring glory to God. So, when we have nothing to give, is that okay? Should we not put Him first by alloting the first portion to Him (Prov. 3:9-10). Does He not promise to take care of us and are there not numerous promises in His Word to those who are generous givers? (Ps. 112:7; Prov. 3:9-10; 11:25; 2 Cor. 9:6-10, etc.)
Giving is foundational to the true Church fulfilling the law of Christ which is to bear the burdens of each other in His love (Acts 4:32-35; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; Gal. 6:2; Phil. 4:10-19). The love offerings of God’s people are essential to the ministering to of and building up of the saints by those called and set apart for such a work (1 Cor. 9:1-14; Eph. 4:11-12). Revenues given to the work of the ministry is of paramount importance for those who labor in the Word and doctrine and in the watching over the souls of the saints (1 Tim.5:17-18; Heb. 13:17). These who are called out to serve are to give themselves “continually to pray and to the ministry of the Word” and whenever they have to stop doing this divine calling to try to get money to pay even their basic necessities, the work of the LORD is hindered (Acts 6:4). – “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” (1 Cor. 9:14) – “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” (2 Tim. 2:2)
God “so loved” that He “gave.” (Jn. 3:16) It is our privilege to give of what God has given to us to steward (1 Chron. 29:14). Make no mistake: It is the giver who is most blessed when he gives, not the recipient – and the LORD will reward the liberal (generous) soul for eternity for what he joyfully chooses to give to His people and work in this brief life! Wow! (see Prov. 11:24-25; Matt. 6:19-20; 10:42; Acts 20:35; 2 Cor. 9:6-10).
“All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee” 1 Chronicles 29:14
Recently, a close friend and dear brother in Christ gave one of his vehicles to a true widowed sister in Christ (also a close friend of mine). He released from his possession that which would bless another member of the body of Christ and in such set himself free from that excess possession and put it to use for the LORD. He will receive untold eternal benefit from this charitable act from a joyful heart (Matt. 10:42; 2 Cor. 9:6-10; etc.).
“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.“ Proverbs 11:24-25
There is great joy in kingdom giving and when the LORD’s people open their hands generously they send forth (invest in) eternal blessings.
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and is watching what we do with what He has blessed us with. He promised to bless us as we give generously of what He places in our temporary care, participating in His Gospel program, namely to share with and build up the saints (Prov. 3:9-10; Mal. 3:10-11; Acts 4:32-35; 2 Cor. 9:6-10). The needs of those believers around us and Christ-centered ministries are to be supported financially by those who are able and fed by their preaching of His pure Word (1 Cor. 9:1-14; Gal. 6:6).
Those who preach the eternal Gospel and watch for the souls of the saints, perform the most important work in the earth. Yet their fruitfulness and ours (individually) is greatly enhanced or limited by the choice of the surrounding saints who either give or do not give. Eternal blessings await those who partner with the LORD and His body in supplying the needs of the saints and the building of His body (Matt. 16:18; 2 Cor. 5:18-20).
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
todd
Beloved, this not a commercial to get money for this ministry. Forgive me if it appears that way. Someone must say these things to help people see the truth. Please search out genuine Gospel ministries and help fund them. Jesus is coming.
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Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury
The Liberal Soul (audio)
Principal Hindrance to the Gospel
New Testament Distribution (audio)
Are You Testing God, Like He Told You To?
We Need Your Help (audio)
Lay Up For Yourselves Treasures
Greedy, Covetous, and Beguiled!
Beware of Covetousness (audio)
Should I Blindly Give to My Church?
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