The Difference Between Charity & Sacrifice

Charity's not bad, it's just not complete.

Mark 12:35-13:2

It’s interesting that Jesus observed those putting money into the temple treasury. Can you think of other times when he did something similar? What was he observing? Was he looking for something he hadn’t seen before? Frankly, it seems a bit uncomfortable. Have you ever considered that, as you write that check or fill out that online giving form, Jesus is watching? It might seem rather legalistic. Or perhaps accountable. Depending on how you yourself view such an act.

But he did. He observed. And he made a significant point about sacrificial giving. There might be a lot of charity going on in the world. This is good. Charity can help alleviate suffering. But it’s not the full fruition of the gospel. Jesus didn’t come to alleviate. He came to save.

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Mark 12:35-13:2

While Jesus was teaching in the temple, he said, “Why do the legal experts say that the Christ is David’s son? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said, The Lord said to my lord, ‘Sit at my right side until I turn your enemies into your footstool.’ David himself calls him ‘Lord,’ so how can he be David’s son?” The large crowd listened to him with delight.

As he was teaching, he said, “Watch out for the legal experts. They like to walk around in long robes. They want to be greeted with honor in the markets. They long for places of honor in the synagogues and at banquets. They are the ones who cheat widows out of their homes, and to show off they say long prayers. They will be judged most harshly.”

Jesus sat across from the collection box for the temple treasury and observed how the crowd gave their money. Many rich people were throwing in lots of money. One poor widow came forward and put in two small copper coins worth a penny. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I assure you that this poor widow has put in more than everyone who’s been putting money in the treasury. All of them are giving out of their spare change. But she from her hopeless poverty has given everything she had, even what she needed to live on.”

As Jesus left the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What awesome stones and buildings!”

Jesus responded, “Do you see these enormous buildings? Not even one stone will be left upon another. All will be demolished.”

Prayer

God,

We’re gathering to worship you today. It is, after all, Sunday. We’ll gather to worship to give you praise from the fullness of our heart to yours. Help us, Lord, to give fully and not simply out of obligation and show.

As we worship, receive us, fill us, and then send us: Let our worship in sanctuaries shape our lives for the world.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.