Observer
41 And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury: 44 for they all did cast in of their superfluity; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
Mark 12:41-44 (ASV)
You might think, by the way Jesus interacted with those who were a part of the established religious community, that He wouldn’t be too keen on giving to such an organization of ‘vipers’. His teaching, rather than a lesson on how much, could have been on being careful to give only to ‘worthy’ entities, or how that giving to a less than perfect church wasn’t part of His new ‘way’, or maybe how we shouldn’t trust what we are giving to God to such shady organizations, but should rather give it directly to whoever we feel needs it the most. Jesus’ words, however, never gave the slightest impression that giving to the temple was out of order. The fact that the rich and the poor alike were giving to this particular organization of questionable leadership didn’t divert Him from attention on the heart of the giving above the actual calculable amount. It would seem that bringing the tithes into the storehouse, or the place of worship, wasn’t just acceptable, but of such great importance that Jesus actually sat and watched to see how much was given and how the heart of the giver was being represented in the amount given.
You might think that there could have been correction given with regard to the widow’s giving, that she should have been giving out of her need directly to others in need, or to the poor. In knowing and serving God, it could have been pointed out how futile and how insignificant was the small pittance given in relation to the size of the temple. With Jesus’ observation, though, there is more emphasis given on the relationship of the heart to the directive of the actual God worshiped in the giving. Rather than being like Saul and deciding herself how the sacrifice should be made, the widow was being obedient to bring this portion directly to her God. For her it had nothing to do with those who might be running the place, but it was her heart being obedient, even when it meant giving out of her own need. In throwing her mite into the treasury, she was freeing her heart completely in its proximity to God. Totally liberated from what any observer might think, her heart was filled with confidence and assurance, knowing that nothing had been held back from what was rightfully God’s.
No matter how much has been accumulated or how much is coming in, the heart has a direct proportionate relationship to whatever that might be. In casting that portion that is the Lord’s, there is a commitment of the whole heart to Him, as nothing that is His is being held back, even at the point of greatest need. Rather than letting any diversion obstruct the liberation of the heart in its worship, rather than being turned off by the representation of the ministry, simple obedience to what God has directed removes any hindrance from the most important Observer of our worship, and makes for a bold and confidence advance to His throne of grace.