Pew bulletin
Fr Vijay’s sermon
The Gift That God Sees (Mark 12:41-44)
Today is the final day of our stewardship Campaign, and it is also our thanksgiving service. These two occasions come together beautifully. Stewardship asks, “What can we offer to God?” Thanksgiving asks, “How can we respond to all the God has given us?
In our gospel reading, Jesus sits opposite to the temple treasury and watches people bringing their offerings. Many rich people give large amounts. Then a poor widow comes and puts in two small copper coins. They were almost worthless in human eyes. But Jesus says, “this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.” Why did Jesus say that? What can we learn from this woman on this final day of our stewardship campaign?
1. God sees the heart behind the gift
The people around the treasury could see how much money was being given. They could notice the large gifts of the rich. But only Jesus could see the heart. The rich gave large amounts, but they gave from their abundance. Their gifts did not cost them very much. The widow gave only two small coins, but those coins represented everything she had. People may see the size of our offering, but God sees the love, faith and sacrifice behind it. We often compare ourselves with others: “my gift is not as large as theirs.” But Jesus does not measure our generosity merely by the amount. He looks at the heart.
A child once wanted to give something to help repair the church. He had only a small amount of money in his pocket. Someone told him, “That is not much.” The child replied, “it may not be much to you, but it is all I have brought for Jesus.” That is the spirit of the widow. She did not ask, “is my gift big enough to impress people” she simply offered what she had. On this Thanksgiving Day, let us remember that every gift offered with love is precious to God. A large gift, a small gift, time given in service, prayer offered faithfully, visiting the sick, encouraging someone who is lonely all these are seen by the Lord.
2. True thanksgiving gives itself to God
The widow did not give merely from her purse, she gave herself. Mark tells us that she gave “all she had to live on.” Her offering was an act of trust. She was saying, “God, my life is in your hands.” Thanksgiving is more than saying. Thank you, Lord, with our lips. True thanksgiving is offering our whole life to God, our money, time gifts, home, work, family and future.
Sometimes we thank God for what we have while holding to everything in our hands. But Christian thanksgiving invites us to open our hands, we recognize that all we have ultimately comes from God. Our health, family, employment, homes, opportunities and daily bread are gifts from the Lord. We are not owners in the absolute sense; we are stewards. (A steward is someone who receives something from another person and uses it faithfully.) The question today is not simply, “How much will I give? The deeper question is, “Lord, how do you want me to use what you have entrusted to me?” The widow teaches us that giving is an expression of worship. She placed her coins in the treasury, but, in reality, she placed her trust in God. As we complete our stewardship campaign, our giving may not be motivated by pressure, competition or recognition. May it be a grateful response to God’s grace.
3. God can use small offerings for great purposes
The widow may have thought her two coins were insignificant. She could not imagine that centuries later, people would still be speaking about her faith. she gave a small offering, but Jesus used it to teach generations of disciples. Her gift was small in human calculation, but great in God’s hands. We sometimes feel that what we have to offer is too little. “I am only one person.” “I do not have much time.” “My abilities are limited.” “My contribution will not make a difference.” But the Bible repeatedly shows us that God uses small things:
· A shepherd’s staff in the hand of moses.
· Five loaves and two fish in the hands of Jesus.
· A young boy’s willingness to serve.
· A small mustard seed growing into something large.
· Two coins offered by a poor widow.
The value of a gift is not determined only by its size. It is determined by the God to whom it is offered. Our church’s mission continues through many offerings joined together. One person gives financially. Another gives time. One prepares worship. Another visits elderly. Other welcomes newcomers. Another prays quietly and faithfully. Together, these gifts become a ministry of love. No act of service is too small when it is offered to Christ.
The challenge of the final day:
Today is the last day of our stewardship Campaign. Let us not see it, as merely the closing of a program or the completion of a financial target. Let us see it, as an opportunity to renew our relationship with God. The widow did not give because she had plenty. She gave because God was worthy. Her offering was not a payment for blessings; it was an act of faith. We must also remember an important truth. This passage should never be used to pressure poor or vulnerable people to give beyond their ability. The church is called to care for those in need, not exploit them. Jesus’ teachings direct our attention to whole hearted faith and also challenges every community to practice justice and compassion. Therefore, let our stewardship be responsible, prayerful and generous. Let us give according to our circumstances, with joy and without fear. Let our church use every resource faithfully for worship, mission, pastoral care and service to the community.
Conclusion
That is what God desires not gifts that impress people, but hearts that trust him. The widow gave two small coins, but Jesus saw a great faith. today, God sees every gift, every prayer and every act of service offered in love. As we give thanks, let us offer ourselves afresh to God:
Let us pray: Lord, all that we have comes from you. Receive what we bring, use it for your glory. Teach us to give with gratitude, serve you with joy and trust you with our lives. May our stewardship be an act of worship. May our thanksgiving become a life of generosity. And may God use even our small offerings to bring hope, healing and blessings to many. Amen