 THORNS
AMONG ROSES - Scribes were trained interpreters of the texts. As in all professions, most
were honest and authentic, but some were dishonest and conniving. Jesus condemns the
scribes who engage in wrongful practices or worse, use the name of God to mask their
actions.
LEARNING POINT? - Which way does interpretation lean? On one hand Jesus has just
condemned certain of the scribes as "devouring widows’ houses" (v. 40);
religious leaders did occasionally manage the affairs of widows supposedly as an act of
protection, but bad eggs would simply use the account to pad their wealth. In that case,
Jesus’ example of the widow giving all she had would be another condemnation of the
system that was in desperate need of reform. On the other hand, Jesus perhaps points to
the widow’s lepta (1/64 of a day’s wage) as an example of sacrificial giving.
[1]
BEDE THE VENERABLE [673-735] - The deed of the widow who contributed two copper coins
to the temple was preferred to the large contributions of those who were rich by the One
who weighs what is within our hearts . . . The treasure in one’s heart is the
intention of the thought, from which the searcher of hearts judges the outcome. [2]
 In your wallet, what is your most
important possession? What makes it so?
Why would Jesus be watching people as they give their offerings? A rating system among
givers? Setting up a "learning moment?" Curiosity?
What would have motivated the widow to give all she had? Loved God so deeply? Grateful?
That she would be reciprocated with interest from God?
What does this teach you about the practice of giving?
 Suggest ways that various Christians
come to the story of the widow’s mite: those who teach that wealth will be the reward
for the true life of faith; those who believe that wealth is a sure sign of God’s
blessing, those who are simply embarrassed by the story of the poor widow. [3]
How about this? Look into culture -visit the bookstore and view the self-help and
financial sections. And then visit the "poverty" section of books!
Or this? Could the story be a vision of a very different society under God’s
reign?
Try this: contrast the widow with certain members of the scribes who took a very
different view of wealth and giving. How has the church favored the scribes and ignored
the widow’s mite?
Or contrast the widow’s generosity with the "rich young ruler story in Mark
10:17-31 for possible learning points.
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[1] The New Interpreter’s Study Bible (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003), page
1835.
[2] Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture II (InterVarsity, 1998), page 178.
[3] Some of the ideas which follow come from Richard Jensen, Preaching Mark’s Gospel
(Lima, OH: 1996), page 180.
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