Portrait of Sacrifice: The Impoverished Widow

Ancient Biblical World Concepts

• Tithe
  Scribes: ruthless

Characters

• Widows: impoverished and vulnerable
• Rich: a class of people in ancient Israel

 The Rich

• “Rich” were the upper class, opposite of the ”poor”
• No middle class •Ancient attitude toward “rich” was negative
• “Rich” = greed, power, unscrupulous
• “Poor” = vulnerable, defenseless, no hope
• St Jerome, “Every rich person is a thief, or heir of a thief!”
• Hieremiam 2.5.2

Luke 20:45–47
Jesus Condemns the Self-Centered Scribes

Luke 21:1
Jesus Observes the Rich Giving Their Offerings

Luke 21:2–3
Jesus Observes the Widow’s Offering

Luke 21:4
Jesus’ Comments on the Scene

Conclusions

• The size of a “gift” does not always reflect the degree of sacrifice
• The “widow’s mite” represents a great sacrifice!
• It’s not the number of coins, but ... the nature of the heart

Stewardship is a Matter of:

• Obedience...
• Gratitude...
• Thankfulness...
• Sacrifice...

Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”