The Widow's Mite Consipracy

We represent a cause and a trust, not just a congregation. For this reason we look for those whose hearts belong to this cause and who are willing to back that cause with consistent partnership giving or a special gift. We want the financial responsibility to rest on the shoulders of every person, not just a lesser percentage of very generous people. The following New Testament reference forms the basis.

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.    (Mark 4)

Jesus deliberately sat in the temple to watch people as they brought their offerings. Of all the donors and donations, only one drew a comment from Jesus. The two coins given by the woman possibly represented the least value of any coin ever struck. In today’s terms it would hardly even make the value of an Australian one cent piece.

We hear all kinds of teaching and exhortation about money. Biblical teachers and pastors never seem to find a definitive conclusion as to whether tithing is a requirement or an option for believers. Most people who teach on money and the Bible have to resort to Old Testament texts to warn Christians about the terrible consequences for people who don’t tithe. It has much more to do with having a fall back position for preachers faced with believers from the western cultures who seem resolutely selfish when it comes to the comparatively massive amounts of money at their disposal and their preference of investing it into the banks and economies of this world rather than making an investment in the glory of heaven (cp. Matthew 6)

A legalistic view of giving based on guilt robs a person of the joy of being freely generous, like God is. Sometimes people are told to give so that they will get more.  God wants to give to you in abundance and wants you to share in his divine nature. People who disagree with tithing often do so because they are just mean and miserly. They probably should tithe for a while just to get free from their practice of giving God what is left over rather than what is first and best. Neither guilt, nor selfishness are worthy motivations for people who are followers of Jesus.

The truth is that everything we have belongs to God. We are stewards of his possessions. We need to give to reflect his generosity and our trust in Him, not our affordability and a lack of trust.

The widow didn’t know that Jesus was watching and did nothing that would attract his attention. She quietly gave what represented honour to and trust in God BEFORE her own needs were satisfied. It was the kind of gift that was always going to be noticed by God. Jesus called his disciples to see what was happening. Down through the generations her gift has been celebrated as an expression of the kind of gift that honours God.

That’s what we are asking you to consider. It is what we, ourselves are committed to. Our commitment to the cause is a “widow’s mite” commitment and we believe everyone who shares this commitment with us should partner as a “widow.” There is nothing in the Bible reference to suggest that this was other than the practice of the widow and we want it to be our practice and yours. Our underlying motive is not to get more nor is it to avoid some kind of Old Testament curse. It is simply to bring honour to God and to please him.

This ministry represents a whole lot of weekly needs. These days there are very simple ways of making sure your partnership recognizes the weekly demands.

We are inviting you to partner with us in this cause by making a decision to contribute for a “widow’s mite” offering by a debit card or credit card transaction. Regardless of the size of your income, I hope you will make a decision and apportion a set amount.

God has called us to break new ground in a number of ways. I believe if we can break ground with respect to finance and signify our intention to see the will of God being done, sphere by sphere. As people are inspired, equipped, commissioned, supported and resourced it will happen.