The TRUE Test of our Worship

“And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” 

Mark 12:41-44 (NASB)
 
Jesus is only days away from being crucified and somehow in the midst of all that is going on He wants to teach the disciples a lesson. A lesson about worship, at least that’s how I see it.

It’s Passover time and Jerusalem is packed with people from all over. Many Jews have traveled quite a distance to make sacrifices, celebrate the Passover, and worship God at the temple. 

In the temple there were thirteen trumpet shaped chests around the walls of the court of women, which is where the people would come and give their free-will offerings. In this moment, Jesus is sitting on the opposite side of one of these walls as he begins to observe those who were bringing their offerings. Think about that for a moment!  The Son of God observing people as they worship through their giving.  WOW!  At the same time, we understand that He knows the true worship behind their actions. Jesus knew if people were giving to get something (like being seen by others), or if people were giving as a religious duty with no real heart to worship. He also knew those who were giving sacrificially out of true devotion to God.

Think about that for a moment!  The Son of God observing people as they worship through their giving.

Isn’t that the case today? Doesn’t God know what we do and why we do it?  I believe He does. Many were giving large sums of money which looked like a lot to other observers, but not to Jesus. The disciples saw the same thing that Jesus saw on the outside but Jesus was teaching them what it really meant to worship. The lesson for the disciples (and for us) is that our worship is tested when we seemingly have nothing to give.
 

Our worship is never about the portion but the proportion.

The rich gave out of their abundance but the widow gave out of her lack.  Percentage wise, the widow gave more. Now we know that giving money is only a small piece of our worship before God. Do you give sacrificially?  Sometimes I think of myself as a real giver – of my time, talent, and treasure. But what if Jesus was sitting on a chair opposite of me observing all of my doings and all of my givings? What would He say about my worship?  Would His perspective be the same as what I allow myself to think? Probably not.  But that is the case right? Jesus truly is observing our worship. He truly knows if we are give out of our abundance or out of our lack. He alone knows the proportion of our giving regardless of the portion. 

I started to wonder this morning why the Bible would record this event at such an important moment in the story of Jesus. I mean, He was days away from the crucifixion. In my mind there had to be more to this story than Jesus honoring this unnamed widow in front of his disciples. He must be teaching His disciples a lesson that I need to know as well.  As I pondered this story it hit me all of a sudden.  Jesus used the worship of this widow to teach the disciples the value that God places on wholehearted commitment to Him. In just a few days all of the disciples would have their commitment to Jesus tested. They were about to lose everything. He was not only teaching them but also preparing them for wholehearted commitment and this widow was a witness of what that meant.

Our worship to God is constant, everyday, and ongoing. However, the very substance of our worship comes out most when we have nothing and we still come and give Jesus whatever we do have. The worship of this widow is either a witness to us or against us. One thing is for sure, our worship before God is a sweet smelling sacrifice in the moments of our suffering, lack, and pain. I am reminded of so many people that I know right now who think that because of their situation they can’t give God anything – it’s quite the opposite. When you worship God, give Him thanks, stay committed, encourage others, and give your “mites” because God is watching. He is always watching what we are doing and why we are doing it. Our worship to God is not about our impact on others – it’s about our willingness to bring everything that we have to Him and give it all, especially when there is not much to give.  

Our worship to God is constant, everyday, and ongoing. 

I encourage you to follow in the widows footsteps and bring your mites to God today, and as you do, picture the smile of God over you because He is looking right at you.


Ben Dixon

Ignite Global Ministries

www.igniteglobalministries.org

igniteglobalmin@gmail.com