Jesus was usually on the move, but in this week’s gospel story we see him sitting still, watching: He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.
What induced him to sit and watch people putting money into the temple treasury? He has just lambasted the scribes for their corruption, greed and exploitation of widows – maybe he wanted to see if he was proved right by their actions. All we’re told is that he watched the crowds putting money into the treasury, which is depicted as being funnel-shaped and narrow at the top, presumably so you can put coins in but not take them out.
Jesus observes a great deal of generosity - “Many rich people put in large sums.” While Jesus said it is hard for the wealthy to enter into the Life of God, and that one cannot serve both God and wealth, he never accused the wealthy of lacking generosity. He simply states a reality – wealth and faith don’t go well together. It is extremely difficult to have wealth and not put our trust in it or fear losing it. That’s what gets in the way of our relationship with God.
Giving out of plenty is pretty easy, just as is loving those who love us. Yet Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.” (Luke 6:32-35)
Jesus invites us to go beyond giving out of our plenty to giving even when it costs us; to give out of our harvest, our income, not only out of our savings. That widow was free of the obstacles that kept the wealthy bound. She gave it all, maybe because she had nothing to lose. When we have wealth, we have everything to lose.
Does this mean we have to give everything away? I hope not! But it may mean we are ready to give everything should we sense God’s call to do so, and to reduce our reliance upon our wealth and comfort. It may mean we ask God regularly where God would have us use our wealth, and tune our antennae to God’s response. Each of us may be faced with a need that invites us to give way beyond our comfort – and we will do it if we feel God calling us to that.
In the meantime we can build up our giving muscles by releasing more and more of our wealth, putting it into play in God’s service. This is the season when many churches are inviting members to determine how much they think they’ll give in 2022 to support God’s mission at that church. Think of this as exercise season for your generosity and trust muscles - make a pledge or an estimated annual giving amount.
How far are you willing to trust God’s provision? How excited are you to invest in what you see God doing through your congregation? How free do you want to be?
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