Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:
Luke 21:1-4
(PRT) Luke 21:1-4
v. 1 Then Jesus looked up and saw those who were wealthy tossing their gifts into the offering baskets. v. 2 He also saw a certain poor widow as she dropped in two small coins worth less than a penny. v. 3 And Jesus said: “With all honesty, I can say to you that this poor widow has given more than all who have tossed in their offerings. v. 4 For what they gave was small compared to their surplus; but out of her poverty, she gave all she had to live on.
Study Notes:
v. 1 Then Jesus looked up and saw those who were wealthy tossing their gifts into the offering baskets.
Jesus had been in the Temple teaching during this last week of his ministry. No less than five times in this teaching time in the Temple, Jesus teaches on giving, generosity, and the impact of greed as opposed to generosity. This passage is a tangible illustration of what Jesus taught.
He looked up and saw that the gifts were out of the wealthy’s excess. The “treasury” is the way giving happened in the Temple. This treasury was set up in the Courts of the Women as a place specifically for the tithes as people moved into the Temple. By the days of Jesus, there were thirteen chests with openings trumpet-shaped to catch what was thrown toward the chests as people passed by.
The picture here is Jesus with his followers sitting in the Courts of the Women opposite the chests and, right after arguing about taxes (“give to Caesar what he’s due; to God what He’s due,” Jesus looks up and begins to watch the wealthy parade by tossing their coins into the basket by way of the noisy trumpet-shaped openings. Some of the gifts are large. But all are measured from the givers’ surplus. The widow in line gives and can only scrape together to coins worth a portion of a penny; but she gives knowing that was it for her resources. She’s given all she has, not in desperation or in giving up, but in trust that God has her and He will be faithful. Marks word for “poor” indicates that she knows she has no influence, no resources to convince anyone of her station; hers was a simple station of living day-by-day.
v. 2 He also saw a certain poor widow and she was dropping in two small coins worth less than a penny.
Her two small coins were “lepta” or small copper coins used as the lowest common coinage. Most people would pass them by if they saw them on the ground. What others might discard, God can take and multiply into the grandest work or gift to the Kingdom.
v. 3 And Jesus said: “With all honesty, I can say to you that this poor widow has given more than all who have tossed in their offerings.
This must have been a shock since the greater the gift the greater the giver in this culture. Truly, verily, in all honesty.
v. 4 For what they gave was small compared to their surplus; but out of her poverty, she gave all she had to live on.
Jesus is making a comparison here. If I have a lot and give a little bit in comparison, my offering isn’t a big as what a person gives sacrificially even though it is less for the books. God’s books are different and reflect the generosity of the heart and not the balance of the check book.
Note of importance: Jesus doesn’t condemn the rich for their giving; he lifts up the heart of sacrifice of the poor who give out of their need and not their surplus. It’s a measure of generosity.
Small Group Questions:
Luke 21:1-4
- Have you ever witnessed real generosity? What happened and what made it real to you?
- Read Luke 21:1-4. What two things does Jesus see when He looks up? Is he surprised by what He sees?
- Because Jesus praises the widow, do you think He is condemning the wealthy? Why or why not?
- How does one’s generosity reflect God’s personality and actions?
- This passage speaks about consistent giving (the tithe) and extravagant giving. In what ways can you personally become more generous?
- How can we pray for you today?
ricksgreatideas 