“Everything and Nothing
Midweek Service
March 4, 2026
Mark 12:41-44
Jesus sat down opposite the collection box and watched the people putting money in it, and many of the rich put in a great deal. A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. Then Jesus called out to the disciples and said to them, “The truth is, this woman has put in more than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have put in money from their surplus, but she has put in everything she possessed from the little she had—all she had to live on.”
Message:
This passage has been used for years as an example of faithful giving. Look at this widow–she gave everything she had to live on. She was more faithful and righteous than those who have much and gave little, even if it WAS actually more money than her offering. We should be like the widow. We should give it all.
Except, we shouldn’t. That’s not how our world works. And that’s not what God expects. I mean, yes–all that we have and all that we do should be devoted to God. But because of the way our society (and every society) operates, God never asks us to give to the church or the temple every last cent we have.
And you know what we don’t hear in today’s story? We don’t hear Jesus praising the woman. He’s simply describing what he sees. However, the verses that come before this passage are quite telling. He’s only a few days away from his arrest and murder. And his teachings have become quite caustic against injustice.
He had just gotten done saying, “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.”
They devour widows’ houses. You know how they do that? By expecting widows to pay their last two cents–all they have to live on. By tying piety with sacrifice. By making generosity a competition. And then, by not using those funds according to their purpose. It was the duty of the religious leaders to protect and care for the most vulnerable–the widows and orphans. If this widow is giving away her last two coins to the people whose job it is to take care of her, something is very wrong.
And we’re seeing this in our world, as well. Whether it’s predatory lending or predatory health insurance, the most vulnerable in our world are the ones being hurt the most. Climate change hurts the people who rely most on the land and the weather. And the wars and occupations and terrorism continue to lay waste people who have nothing with which to fight back.
Today’s mini devotion–the handout for worship–tells a story of two homeless women sharing resources and taking care of each other. The narrator had been visiting with them as they compared places to sleep and where to use the restroom. The first woman said to the other, “Take my spot behind the store for the rest of this week. It’s safe and warm.” The owner of the store only allowed for one person to stay there, so the first woman said she could find somewhere else for the time being.
The narrator asked the first woman why she gave up her space. “The other lady is sick,” she said. “If she stays in the woods or by the creek, she’ll get worse. And if she stays on the street, people will keep waking her up to move her. But if she can get some decent rest in a safe and dry place, maybe she’ll feel better.”
The first woman gave all she had–not to a system that was already exploiting her, but to a person who needed what she had to offer. Maybe that’s what the widow was thinking about. Maybe she hoped her offering could help someone else.
Jesus compared the gifts given by the poor widow and the wealthy patrons. But he didn’t compare what they gave–he compared what they had. That kind of disparity doesn’t belong in God’s kindom. When we have, we give–we give so that those who have less can receive.
Yes, our congregation has operating costs and staff salaries. And we do our best to handle all of these justly. How we use our facility and what our staff does to serve this congregation and the larger community is the key. The way we share our wealth with the synod and the ELCA, how it extends to services like Lutheran Disaster Relief and Food Pantries–this is the measure of our love for one another.
And these aren’t just decisions made by one or two people. They are made by all of us. Our job, always, is to care for the vulnerable, the unseen, the unloved. We do it because God DOES see and love and extend God’s heart–to us all.
Pastor Tobi White
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
Lincoln, NE
