The Widow's Might
Mark 12:38-44
November 4, 5, 2006-Commitment Weekend 2006

During the past few weeks, we have been considering the significant spiritual discipline of stewardship. We recognize that faithful stewardship involves much more than what we share as our offerings and tithes. Stewardship is the recognition that all that we are and all that we have are gifts from God. Stewardship focuses not on the need of the church to receive, but on the spiritual need for all of us to give. The theme for our stewardship emphasis this year has been "New Hearts, New Spirits, New Living!" And today is "Commitment Day." After my comments and as an act of worship, we will make our pledges for the coming year.

Now, I realize that many of you aren't "hog wild" about this particular topic. But as someone has pointed out, pigs and pennies seem to go together. You have heard the phrases: "piggy-bank," "bringing home the bacon," "living high on the hog," and other porcine perspectives. Even in the life of the church, pork meets penny. The term "steward" can be traced back to the medieval English word "sty-ward. Literally, the word means "a pig-keeper." And you know that Jesus talks a lot about stewards and stewardship.Unfortunately, the Hebrew word for steward had nothing to do with pig farming-after all, that wouldn't be kosher! And the one encounter Jesus had with a pig farmer wasn't exactly good stewardship! You remember that story from Luke 8 about all of the possessed pigs that ran off the cliff-I guess you could describe them as deviled ham!

Anyway, never mind the swine. Stewardship of money was a very important topic to Jesus. And so, although it may make us squirm and squeal, we are challenged to hold up our finances to the scrutiny of the gospel-because Jesus doesn't want us to hog everything we have-he wants us to experience the joy of generosity! PERHAPS WE CAN BE INSPIRED BY TODAY'S STORY?

According to the Mishnah, there were 13 trumpet-shaped receptacles in the temple. They stood up against the wall of the Court of Women. These receptacles provided a place to gather the gifts of the faithful for the temple treasury. Jesus and his disciples sit and watch the comings and goings of those offering their gifts of support. Many wealthy worshipers place significant sums in the treasury. But Jesus doesn't make any comments until a poor widow comes along, a woman who offers two small copper coins. It is worth noting that as tiny as this gift is, the woman does have two of these coins. She does not give one and hold the other back for herself-she gives both. For centuries, this woman has stood as an example of great faithfulness and genuine sacrifice-as she should be!

But are there other ways to understand the story? There are some people who believe that Jesus is not so much praising the purse-emptying donation the poor widow makes, but rather, is offering a lament. Based on his comments about the religious authorities and the context of the story, could it be that Jesus is more concerned that this poor woman has given her all to a lost cause? Perhaps the widow has given out of faith and obedience, but has chosen the wrong recipients for her devotion? Is she simply a pawn in the hands of a greedy, grasping, religious establishment? Is it possible that she has invested in a religious system that is broken?

THESE ARE IMPORANT THINGS FOR US TO THINK ABOUT. In the last couple of centuries, "Capital" has become a powerful king, a relentless ruler. "Accumulation of goods" has given "growing closer to God" a challenging run for the money. Consumers have come to wield enormous power. In the cut-throat competitive marketplace, products are marvelously marketed, drawing away our hard-earned dollars. And we become convinced that we can't live without the stuff. But I wonder? Are we pawns in the hands of greedy establishments? Are we investing in things that don't matter? I'm sure you have heard the news! You are now one of over 300 million Americans. We passed that milestone recently. TIME Magazine issued a special report: "America at 300 million-where we live, how we vote, how much we earn, what we believe, who we are, how we spend our time, what we buy." The "How Much We Earn" section compared different occupations and how much time it takes for various people to make $1000 at work. You may recognize some of these names. Howard Stern-24 seconds. Dr. Phil-less than three minutes. Actor Brad Pitt and athletes Kobe Bryant and Maria Sharapova-about 5 minutes. The average CEO-about 3 hours. The average general practitioner doctor-about 13 hours. The average police office and teacher-about 43 hours. The average farmer-almost 60 hours. Does this say anything about our values, our investments?

In the "What we Buy" section, I was amazed by some of the numbers for average DAILY purchases in America! 35 million cans of Bud Light. 50 million cans of Pepsi. Even though tap water is readily available, we buy 8 million bottles of Aquafina water every day. Almost 2 million Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Almost 2 ½ Burger King Whoppers. Around ½ million Hostess Twinkies and Domino's Pepperoni Pizzas. 150,000 pounds of Starbucks Coffee. Almost 100,000 I-Pods!

Does this say anything about our values, our investments? Would you consider anything on the list to be absolutely essential? And what is the relative value of the items on the list compared to the widow's offering in the story? Who or what controls your life? Are we investing in things that don't matter and don't honor our relationship with God and God's people? Isn't it ironic that a culture that gets a little nervous at the prospect of "letting the Spirit lead" has no qualms at all about endlessly net-surfing or channel-surfing in search of something newer, fresher and more appealing? Isn't it ironic that a culture that supposedly values freedom and independence above all is slavishly committed to endlessly upgrading software and stereo components, up-scaling addresses and automobiles, and clambering up social and economic ladders of "success"? Isn't it ironic that a culture that finds its greatest security in "things" threatens to destroy the most basic needs of all life on Earth? Clean air, clean water, and enough food for all to eat? You may have read the recent articles about rising levels of greenhouse gases and the looming seafood shortage. Isn't it ironic that in our land of plenty, plenty of people feel like they are living in one of the most pinched and painful environments imaginable?

Who or what controls your life? Are we investing in things that honor God and help God's people? I AM THANKFUL TO BE A PART OF A COMMUNITY OF FAITH THAT TAKES THESE MATTERS SERIOUSLY. The church family is making steady progress on the stewardship journey. We have grown significantly in recent years. Financial support for this year's ministries and mission has been very strong. Many thousands of over-and-above dollars have been directed to special outreach offerings, as well as our facilities and renovation efforts. The big picture is very good-so I have to say "Well done, Beargrass!"

And yet, we are invited and challenged to continue to grow in our giving. If you look at the chart on the insert in your bulletin, you'll see the giving patterns for our church family. Let's assume that as faithful followers of Jesus that we are all tithing, giving 10% of our income, one of the biblical guidelines for giving. If that is true, then the figures on the chart indicate that only 40 households out of around 700 in the church family are making more than $52,000 a year-the top two steps on the chart. And if we assume we're all tithing, the chart indicates that two-thirds of us-around 480 households-are earning less than $15,000 a year, less than the poverty level for a family of four. We still have a long way to grow.

Can you imagine what God could do through the church if we all started to tithe? Can you imagine the possibilities for mission and ministry if we gave with the heart and spirit of the woman in today's story from Mark? It really doesn't matter whether Jesus was lamenting or lauding her gift. She gave it as an act of faith and hope and love in the God who gave her life. And the spirit of that woman is still among us. One of our newest members shared this story with me about someone in his former church, a single mother of two small children. She struggled at two jobs to try to support them. But somehow she also found time to stay active in the church and serve on the Outreach Committee. At one meeting, she was asked to present a Moment for Mission for a special offering that was to be received. The chair of the committee gave her a packet of information and asked her to look over it. When the time came for the presentation, the committee chair was pleased with the young woman's message. It was to the point, sincere, and heart-felt.

But then she surprised the chair when she added, "I would like to tell you a story." That wasn't a part of the script. The young woman began, "A $1 bill and a $100 bill were in Washington, D. C., preparing to be shredded. They had both lived a long and eventful life. As a result, they were worn thin and tattered. As they were waiting in line, the $100 bill began a conversation with the $1 bill. He boasted: "I've been in the most expensive shops and stores, the most elite restaurants and places of entertainment one could imagine, the fanciest casinos and horse tracks in the country." "I've been to all of the big athletic events and luxurious vacation destinations around the world." He sighed as he reflected on the exciting life had had lived. Then he looked at the $1 bill and felt a bit embarrassed. He said, "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sure you have had a very exciting and eventful life too-tell me where you have been." The $1 bill said quietly and humbly, "Well, I have spent most of my life in Sunday School classes and churches." "I have provided meals for the hungry and clothes for the down-and-out, and hope for victims of disaster." "I have provided educational materials for children and young people to learn about God." "It has been a very rewarding and meaningful life." As the young woman finished the story, she took a $100 bill out of her purse and said to the congregation: "This is one $100 bill that will NOT have to spend its life outside of a church." Then she put the $100 bill in the special offering envelope and sealed it. She quietly and humbly walked to the offering tray and dropped it in, then sat down.

The impact of the story and the offering was dramatic and life-changing for the members of the congregation. They knew of her financial status and struggles. And they were moved by her tremendous sacrifice.

Friends, today is Commitment Day. This is a time when, as an act of worship and discipleship, we will make our commitments to God's work through our church for the coming year. Many people come to worship on Commitment Day with a set figure in mind to put on the pledge card. But what if we all took a step or two more than we planned, as an expression of our faith? Jesus summed up the matter very succinctly: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also; you cannot serve God and money." Today, experience the joy of putting your money where your heart is, where your spirit is. Experience the joy of placing it in the care of the God who gives you new life.