September 30, 2018 | Dr. Craig Price
Passage: Luke 20:45-21:4
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.”