What's REALLY Going on

 Explaining the Action

The best analysts have the ability to tell us what’s REALLY going on. Whether it’s a color commentator on the broadcast of a game or some political guru covering an election, they explain the action and break down what we’re seeing.

So many times, there’s WAY more going on than meets the eye. Whether it’s with a Telestrator or a giant video wall, these analysts tell us just what to look for.

Tuesday at the Temple Treasury

That’s exactly what Jesus does for His team of twelve one Tuesday at the temple treasury (Mk 12:41-44). As they watch folks giving their offerings, the Lord doesn’t want the guys to miss what’s REALLY important.

And it would be easy to miss. Lots of rich folks are making a big show making their offerings. It’s the First Century version of a photo op with a giant check. Ever wondered what it would be like depositing one of those bad boys at the local branch bank?

But the Lord wants His personal posse to pay attention to that inconspicuous woman. Hey, look over there! See that lady in the back? That’s who I want you to see.

Not Just Any Tuesday

Before we hear our Savior’s analysis of the action, let’s back up and set the stage. It’s Tuesday. But not just any Tuesday. It’s the last week of Jesus’ earthly life.  

It’s what we’ve come to call Passion Week. We’re counting down the hours until Jesus’ betrayal, torture, crucifixion, and death.

A Wild Week

It’s been a wild week to this point. The huge hero’s welcome for Messiah’s arrival on Sunday (Mk 11:1-11). Christ’s cleans house at the temple on Monday (Mk 11:15-18). 

Then there were the endless challenges to the Lord’s authority by the Hebrew home office (Mk 11:27-12:34).

 

These so-called experts wonder where this Rabbi/Carpenter from the boondocks gets off throwing His weight around on their turf.

But our Savior flips the script on each one of them and then exposes them for the religious bullies they really are (Mk 12:35-40).

The Place is Packed

Which brings us to the temple treasury. Apparently the place is packed. Mark tells us what happens next. 

“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the temple and watched as the crowds dropped off their money” (v41).

Christ Looks Closely

According to biblical archaeologists, the treasury was in the part of the temple complex known as the Court of the Women. This is as far as the ladies are allowed. That makes sense when Jesus points out the person at the center of the story.

Around the outside of the this courtyard are thirteen trumpet-shaped funnels where people put their offerings. For those of us of a certain age, they’re like the bins where you would toss your change in order to pay to drive on a toll road.

Mark describes how Jesus takes a seat and takes a look. The word the NLT translates as “watched” (Gr. θεωρεω/theoreo) means to be a spectator and view attentively. Christ is looking very closely at what’s going on.

Brass in Pocket

He’s checking out the people and their giving. Interestingly, the word “money” here is actually the Greek word for brass (Gr. χαλκος/chalkos). There’s no paper money or plastic back in the day. Just coins made of brass, silver and gold.

It’s easy to imagine that folks with deep pockets are the stars of the show in the temple treasury. “Many rich people put in large amounts” (v41). In the words of the Pretenders, they’ve got brass in pocket. We’re talking LOTS of of brass.

Making It Rain

Because these receptacles are also made of metal, they really ring when wealthy worshipers toss in their coins. Lots of coins mean lots of noise. 

It’s like the lyrics in that old Georgia Satellites’ tune. “Got a little change in my pocket, going jing-a-ling-a-ling.” 

Almost Lost in the Background 

That’s when, somewhere off to the side, almost lost in the background, an unassuming woman has come to drop off her contribution. “Then a poor widow came a dropped in two small coins” (v42).

When we take a closer look at Mark’s choice of words to describe her as well as her cultural context, we see a lady that’s way worse off than at first glance.

Penniless and Powerless

First of all, to be “poor” (Gr. πτωχος/ptochos) paints a picture of someone totally dependent on others for support. She’s destitute, penniless, and powerless.

Maybe she’s just going through a hard time and simply needs a little help to get back on her feet. Sorry. The term indicates a continuous state not a temporary situation. 

If that’s not bad enough, πτωχος/ptochos comes from a root word meaning someone who crouches or cringes. In other words, a beggar. She probably spends most of her day pleading for money and panhandling just to survive.

A Gaping Hole

Chances are she wasn’t always like this. That’s because she’s a a woman whose husband has died. 

The Greek noun for “widow” (Gr. χηρα/chera) comes from a word that describes a huge chasm or vacuum. The loss of her husband has left a gaping hole in her life.

No Life Insurance

Not only is there a massive void left by the death of her husband. It’s worse than that. There’s no one more marginalized in the Greco-Roman than a woman to be left all alone with no husband. 

If her late husband was working class, he would have left her very few resources when died. There’s no life insurance check coming her way.

Two Small Coins

Despite all of that, she’s come to the temple to worship. Remember, this is the Court of the Women. It’s as far as Jewish ladies are allowed to enter. Before she leaves, this lady returns to God what He has given her.

Tink. Tink. That’s the sound of “two small coins” trickling down the treasury trumpet. The original language tells us that these are actually λεπτος/leptos, copper coins worth one half of a quadrant or 1/128 of a denarius.

45 Cents

If you’re like me, you’re probably not up on the latest exchange rates between First Century Palestinian currency and 21st Century American money.

A denarius would be a full day’s wage for a blue collar working stiff. So for comparison, let’s use a day’s pay in the U.S. based on the minimum wage of $7.25 in 2020. That comes to a whopping $58.

Divide $58 by 128 and we find discover that what she gives amounts to right at 45 cents. Those two leptos are less than a couple of quarters. Not very impressive when compared to offerings of the rich clanging all around her.

A Teachable Moment

But when our Savior sees her, He tells His team to huddle up. “Jesus called His disciples to Him and said…” (v43).

Once again, the radical Rabbi/Carpenter sees this as a teachable moment for His team. Look closely, boys. I don’t want you to miss this.

Breaking It Down

He begins breaking down the action by saying, “I tell you the truth” (v43). The smart aleck in me wants to come back with something snarky like, “So You’ve been lying to us before?” 

That’s probably just one of the reasons He didn’t choose me to be one of the Twelve. I mean, really. It may be one of His better decisions when you think about it.

Over and Out

The Greek word the NLT translates as “truth” is actually αμην/amen. Yup, you read that right. Amen. Maybe you thought that’s just how we’re supposed to “hang up” at the end of a prayer. You know, like God’s version of “over and out.”

“Amen” shows up a grand total of 52 times in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Throw in another 25 in John’s Gospel. And get this. Jesus is the only one who says it.

This is the Way It Should Be!

But it’s NOT how the Son of God ends His chats with His heavenly Dad. He uses it as a point of emphasis. Listen to this. Watch this. Are you paying attention? Don’t miss this!

It actually comes an ancient Hebrew that strongly emphasizes the truth of what’s said or done. Think something along the lines of “That’s true!” or “This is the way it should be!” 

Truth from the Truth

Makes sense when you think about it. We can trust the One who is THE Truth (Jn 14:6) to always tell us the truth (Titus 1:2; Heb 6:18). God never lies. Ever.

That’s not all. In one of Paul’s letters to Christ’s followers in Corinth, he refers to our Savior as our “Amen” since God fulfills every single one of His promises in Him (2Cor 1:20).

And did you know that Jesus even calls Himself “the Amen—the faithful and true Witness” (Rev 3:14)? It’s true!

Making It Rain

Meanwhile back at the temple treasury, Christ wants the Twelve to understand the truth of what’s really going on.

“I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions” (v43).

Don’t miss that lady right there, boys. It may not look like much but she’s really making it rain in God’s kingdom!

More Than the Others Combined

Get this. A truckload of Bible experts believe the Lord is actually saying that she’s giving more than ALL THE RICH FOLKS COMBINED!

Hold the phone!  How can that be?!?  All she did was toss a couple of measly coins.  How in the world can what she’s given be more than the massive deposit dropped off by all the wealthy worshipers?!?  

I’m no math major but this does NOT make sense! I’ve got a pretty good feeling the disciples are also thinking this doesn’t add up.

The Source of Our Giving

Luckily for them and for us, our Savior breaks down what’s going down. “For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has to live on” (v44).

Did you catch that? Jesus points out that the key here is the source of our giving. When we give from our leftovers, it’s really no big deal to God. On the other hand, He loves it when we return to Him what we think we need.

Finding Change in the Couch

Let’s take a closer look. And once again, a great way to do that is with dive into the original language of Mark’s Gospel. Ready? Cool. Let’s go.

First of all, the Lord says those who are loaded give from “a tiny part of their surplus” (v44). The Greek word here is περισσευω/perisseuo. It paints a picture of excessive abundance, overflow, and more than enough.

In other words, these high rollers may toss in impressive amounts but it really makes no dent in their budget or lifestyle. They can easily find a huge chunk of change digging around in their couch or in the cupholder of their chariot.

Lacking the Essentials of Daily Life

On the other hand, Christ reminds us of just how broke this widow really is. Behind the phrase “poor as she is” is the word ‘υστερησις/‘usteresis. It means poverty, deep need, and says she lacks the essentials of life.

Despite zero resources, this lady is contributing all she has “to live on” (Gr. βιος/bios). Does the Greek word look familiar? Yup, it’s where we get the “bio” in biology.

In this context, it’s talking about her livelihood, what she needs to live an earthly life and function in society, or her resources for making it through the day.

Putting Her Money Where Her Faith Is

The Lord says here’s the deal. These rich folks give from what’s left over. They’re trusting in themselves and their bank account to handle what life throws their way.

Meanwhile, the broke widow gives sacrificially from what she’s going to need. That might sound crazy but she’s really putting her money where her faith is. She’s trusting that God will provide.

Trusting and Tithing

That’s actually the principle behind what’s known as tithing. While the word basically means “ten percent,” it’s way more than that.

Tithing is trusting that 90 percent with God is WAY more than 100 percent without Him. It turns our generosity into an act of faith and dependance on the Great Giver to provide what we need. 

You Can’t Out-Give God

You may have heard folks say, “You can’t out-give God.” And you can take that one to the bank. He already gave His best so that we could spend eternity with Him (Jn 3:16).

Did you know that, as a general rule, the lower the income, the greater the percentage of generosity? And the reverse is true as well.  The higher the income, the lower the percentage of generosity.

That’s what’s going on when Paul tells the Corinthians how the people in the churches of Macedonia are flat broke but have “overflowed in rich generosity” (2Cor 8:2). He says get these folks who didn’t have anything gave WAY more than they could afford.

Our Ultimate Example of Generosity

The former Pharisee goes on to say that our Savior is our ultimate example when it comes to generosity. “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty He could make you rich” (2Cor 8:9).

But wait. Wasn’t Jesus a homeless Galilean rabbi who at the high point of His working career was a blue collar construction worker? 

The Dumpster Dive from Heaven

Yes, but rewind even further. Before Nazareth, before Bethlehem, the Son of God lived in the heavenly palace in the lap of ultimate luxury. We can’t begin to wrap our brains around how amazing this is. It makes Sandals look like tent camping.

Yet the Lord was willing to leave it all behind in order to make the dumpster dive and save us from our sin and rebellion. He chucked it all in order to come to our rescue.

Three days after this Tuesday at the temple treasury, Jesus pay the price for you and me and give all He has for all of us. 

Look Closer

Meantime, He wants everyone to see what real generosity looks like. Don’t get distracted by the glitz and glamour of people wanting to put on a big show of how much they give.

Okay, here’s where it gets dicey. Would my Savior circle me with His divine Telestrator as one to watch when it comes to giving? Can I get back to you on that one?

The Lord says we need to look closer. Look for those who give sacrificially. Just like that widow over there in the corner.

©2021

Jay Jennings 

Loosening My Kung Fu Grip

"And Peter said, 'See, we have left our homes and followed You.' And He said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life'" (Lk 18:28-30).

These three verses provide an epilogue to Jesus' conversation with the rich young ruler (Lk 18:18-27).  Christ's call to cash in his chips and follow revealed the man's idol: his own wealth.  Jesus then pointed out how it's easier to smush a 1500 pound camel through the eye of a sewing needle that for a rich person to squeeze himself through the gates of heaven.  The Lord pointed out that the only one capable of making that happen is God Himself.

At this point, Peter speaks up (v28).  Let's face it, when Pete says something, there's a 50-50 chance he's going to make a fool of himself.  Pastor Mike Lee says that it often seems like that the only reason Peter opens his mouth is to change feet.  But here, Simon says the right thing.

In response to the rich ruler's retreat, Rocky speaks up for all of the twelve.  It's just another example from the Bible of Peter's role as leader of the apostles.  It's a role he will retain even in the wake of his betrayal of the Lord.  He was part of Jesus' inner circle along with the Sons of Thunder.  Peter was first among equals among Christ's twelve.

The Rock reminds Jesus of all that His own disciples have left in the rear view mirror in order to follow.  "See we have left our homes and followed You."  Actually the word "homes" is not in the original text.  Pete actually says they have left "one's own" or “everything belonging to us" (Gr. adjective idios).

It is a reminder of how these twelve men walked away from not just their homes, but everything in order follow this amazing Man from Nazareth.  Professional fishermen dropped their nets and left their business behind.  A tax collector turned his back on his incredibly profitable occupation (and repaid with interest!).  They had left it all behind.

Jesus responds to Peter's statement with an encouragement (v29-30).  First, He talks about what they all have given up in more detail.  These men have left their homes, wives, brothers, sisters, parents and children.  And they didn't do it simply to hang out with some homeless and untrained Rabbi/Carpenter.  They did it "for the sake of the kingdom of God."  Somehow, someway they understood that something bigger was at stake.  And they were willing to leave it all behind.

Jesus announces here that this call to leave it all behind is not just for these twelve closest followers.  Are we willing to leave it all behind?  I'm afraid that we Americans are more like the rich young ruler than the blue-collar bunch that Jesus' assembled.  According to some statistics, 21st-century Americans are among the top 2% of the wealthiest people who have ever walked on the planet.  How many of us are willing to leave everything to follow Jesus?  House?  Family?  Job?  Cars?  401k?  I think it's time to move on.  It's getting rather uncomfortable, don't you think?

After affirming everything that His followers give up, Jesus goes on to give an overview of the benefits package (v30).  Those willing to forsake everything for the sake of the kingdom get unspeakable blessings, both in this life and the life to come.  Don't miss that Jesus speaks of receiving "many times more in this time."  Don't miss the math.  God's blessings will be multiplied "many times more!"

I would hardily disagree with those preaching a prosperity Gospel that Jesus is promising earthly riches.  It may happen.  But the blessings of God are so much more than that, so much more robust than that, so much deeper than that.  They include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23).  Most importantly, it is the blessing of God Himself.  He is our portion (Ps 16:5).  He is our great reward.

Jesus alone is worth leaving all.

Then Jesus points us to the most mind-blowing retirement package the universe has ever known.  He promises that we'll see those blessings continue once we pass from this life into the life to come.  Much ink has been spilled on heavenly and eternal blessings.  Christ is reminding His followers that it's worth it.  It's VERY MUCH worth it.  He doesn't deny that they've given up a lot.  But they have only begun to scratch the surface on what's to come.  And they don't have a clue of what will happen in the coming months and years.  Their minds couldn't hold it all.

This passage reminds me of the statement that hands clinging tightly to earthly possessions are not open to receive the blessings of God.  Too often we have a kung fu grip on things that have absolutely no eternal value.

Let it go.  Put it down.  Let the Lord fill your palms with His unspeakable and overflowing goodness.  We can only receive when we loosen our kung fu grip.

Jesus alone is worth leaving all.

How to BE Rich

“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (1Tim 6:18).

God wants you to be rich. So much so that He commands it through the Apostle Paul. Sweet! Who couldn’t use a little more jingle in their pocket? Well, pump your brakes before you believe the man from Tarsus is all about the so-called prosperity gospel. Not even close. Nope, instead of turning Almighty God into supernatural vending machine, He wants us to realize He’s ALREADY blessed us. God wants us to be rich. NOT get rich. BE rich. So since we’re ALREADY rich, what are we supposed to do with our wealth? 

In a letter to his protege Timothy, Paul passes along God’s rules for the rich over in chapter six. Specifically verses 17-18. He begins by warning against getting cocky because of cash. Don’t get duped by the money mirage. Realize that our incredibly generous God wants us to enjoy all that He gives. Here in verse 18, the apostle tells us what to do now that we’ve been on the receiving end of supernatural blessing. “They are to be do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (v18). God wants you to be rich.

Before we go any further, I need to give credit where credit is due. And that credit goes to Andy Stanley. He literally wrote the book on this topic. Okay, God inspired Paul to write the verse that inspired Andy to write the book. But back in 2013, Andy wrote “How to Be Rich: It’s Not What You Have but What You Do with What You Have.” Each year he preaches a message on generosity he calls “Be Rich.” A huge chunk of what I’m writing has Andy’s very talented (and generous!) fingerprints all over it.

Before we dig into more of God’s rules for the rich, it’s probably a good idea to understand what’s going on in this letter. Paul is writing to Tim, the young pastor he’s left in charge as the servant/leader of the Ephesian church (1Tim 1:1-3). The apostle has hit the road to Macedonia, probably to help churches there in places like Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. These were all stops on Paul’s second Mediterranean tour (Acts 16:11-17:15). While he’s gone, Paul makes Tim the lead pastor in Ephesus.

But the Ephesian church is a shadow of her former self. Paul had spent three years in the city telling everyone who would listen about Jesus through blood, sweat, and tears (Acts 20:31). But not long after he left, a team of spiritual hucksters weaseled their way into the congregation and distracted folks from following Jesus (1Tim 1:3-7; 4:1-3). The sad part is that Paul could see it coming and warned the Ephesian leaders (Acts 20:29-30).

These false teachers completely corrupted God’s teaching about money. They saw religion as a get-rich-quick scheme (1Tim 6:5). In their mind, there’s no business like God’s business. Paul reminds Pastor Tim of the dangers of greed and how it results in a fatal case of human root rot (1Tim 6:9-10). With that in mind, this church desperately needs to correct the wealthy members of the congregation about what God expects from those who are “rich in this present age” (1Tim 6:17). 

Maybe you think you’re off the hook on this one. You certainly don’t feel “rich in this present age.” Paul MUST be talking to people Donald Trump and Warren Buffett, right? Yes, but I’ve got a sneaking suspicion he’s talking to you too. I KNOW he’s talking to me. Here are the numbers. If you make $40,000 each year, you’re in the top four percent of wage earners in the world. Increase that to $48,000 annually, and you’re in the top ONE percent of money makers on the planet. I’m no statistician, but I’m pretty sure that makes most of us “rich in this present age.”

So if that’s you (and it most certainly is me), the apostle tells us “to do good” (v18). This is actually one word in the original language: agathoergeo. It’s a compound word meaning “excellent (agatho-) work (-ergeo).” It means to show kindness, provide benefits, be generous with your possessions, or act rightly. God is calling us to do what people desperately need, not what they necessarily want. There’s an importance difference between the two. In the words of a Spike Lee joint, “Do the Right Thing.”

Paul then tells us “to be rich in good works” (v18). The Greek verb here (Gr. plouteo) paints a picture having in abundance, being richly supplied, and affluent. This is the fourth time the former Pharisee uses a variation on the word “rich” in these two verses. “As for the rich (Gr. plousios)” (1Tim 6:17). We shouldn’t put our trust “on the uncertainty of riches (Gr. ploutos)” (1Tim 6:17). Instead put our hope in “God, who richly (Gr. plousios) us with everything to enjoy” (1Tim 6:17). Last but not least, he commands us “to be rich (Gr. plouteo) in good works” (v18).

Each one of these words comes from a root word that means to be filled and overflowing. Picture someone filling a glass of beer from the tap and the excess brew is spilling over the sides. It’s having so much that it’s more than a bit sloppy. Are you so generous that your blessing is just a little messy? Jesus even commanded us to be sloppy givers so that our Heavenly Dad will overwhelm us in His blessing, “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap” (Lk 9:38). Running over. In your lap. Sure sounds like a messy blessing to me!

Since I AM rich, how am I supposed to BE rich? Specifically, Paul commands us to overflow “in good works” (v18). If I’m wealthy, let me make the Forbes 400 of helping others. As a matter of fact, we can do that no matter what kind of 401k we have socked away. I can bless without a stack of Benjamins. I can help. I can pray. I can sit with a friend who’s hurting. To “be rich in good works” is shine God’s light and spread His salt wherever we go. Make sure the light is bright and you’re not stingy with the salt. That’s what it means to be rich.

Make no mistake about why we do do good works. It’s not to pile up enough brownie points so God will save us. Helping others isn’t like building up frequent flyer miles. It doesn’t work that way. We’re not saved BY our good works but to DO good works. That’s exactly Paul’s point in one of the most famous passages on grace (Eph 2:8-10). Jesus worked to save us so that we could respond with good works as an act of worship. In other words, Christ did the ultimate good work that we could never do for ourselves. 

Paul goes on to give us a couple of ways we can be rich. We’re “to be generous and ready to share” (v18). I can tell you that after an in-depth word study of the Greek here, the original language means…wait for it…“to be generous and ready to share!” Instead of being a tightfisted miser, God calls His people to be extravagant givers. Openhanded. Unselfish. 

Here are a couple of words that are going to make a few of us uncomfortable. Liberal. Promiscuous. Yeah, you read that right. If the church was truly liberal in her giving, we wouldn’t need to “Feel the Bern” in an election year. What would our communities, towns, and cities look like if God’s people were recklessly promiscuous with our resources to those marginalized by society? That’s exactly why Jesus said, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required” (Lk 12:48). Be liberal. Be promiscuous. With your resources, that is. That’s what it means to be rich.

Here’s the big idea. God overflows to us so that we can overflow to others. Jesus is liberal and lavish to me so that I can be liberal and lavish to others. The lyrics of John Mark McMillan’s song “How He Loves” makes me wonderfully uncomfortable. He describes the grace of Jesus as “heaven meets earth with a sloppy wet kiss.” A few thousand years before that, King David’s wrote what many believe is his best song ever. He sings about how God is so unbelievably generous toward him that “my cup overflows” and “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Ps 23:5-6). Jesus is incredibly messing in His blessing to you and me. Why shouldn’t we be the same?

God has created us in His image (Gen 1:26-27) and is conforming us into the image of His Son (Rom 8:29). A big part of His image is as the ultimate Giver. God the Father gave His Son. God the Son gave His life. God is ridiculously generous to you and me. Sloppy. Messy. Liberal. Promiscuous. He’s calling us to do the same. He’s calling us to BE rich.