The text (from
bible.oremus.org
Mark 12:38-44
As he taught, he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets!They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."
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.Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
On face
value, you might read this gospel reading and think, "Oh, how wonderful this
good little widow is, putting all of her money into the offering and not
thinking about herself at all."
This is
especially true given the time in the year this reading happens to come for
many churches, which is in the midst of their stewardship series.
"See if we
would all just put everything we had into the basket and not worry about where
things come from then the church wouldn't ever have to worry about its budget for
the coming season and we would be able to do all the things we want to do; hire
a secretary and a groundskeeper, have our own school, wire our own internet,
hire a professional website developer."
Yes, it all
sounds pretty good.
