The Widow's Offering: A Postscript

In a rather obscure (but all agree, the oldest) version of Mark's gospel, there are some verses at the end of chapter 12 that are not included in Bible translations commonly used today.

I think the extra verses are important and so here present the two passages together, included as one.

The Widow's Offering

Mark 12:41-44 (NIV Translation)
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

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(newer manuscripts do not include verses 45 through 49.)

Mark 12:45-49 (Textus Incepticus)
45 And Andrew spoke unto Jesus, saying, "Look, Lord! One of her mites missed the opening to the receptacle and rolled into a corner and fell into a deep crack between two stones." 46 And Jesus replied to him, "That does not concern me. I do not care about the money." 47 And the disciples were amazed at him. "Lord," Peter asked, "why then have you chosen to sit here and watch people as they give?" 48 And Jesus replied, "Are you still so dull? My father in heaven owns all things. 49 But I care for these people, and what they do with their money reveals their hearts to me. These others love very little. But this widow loves very much."

A confession: There is no Textus Incepticus. I made verses 45 through 49 up myself one day, while reflecting on the difference between money itself, what we do with it, what happens to it, and how we feel about it.

I hope this fictional postscript conveys this word of grace: What matters most is not what happens to money after we give it away.

Obviously we do want our gifts to make a difference. To be used well. To serve the Lord's purposes. This should indeed be our goal.

So we make every effort to invest the Lord's resources wisely.

But what matters most to God is that we give with a right spirit.

I hope this thought will prove an encouraging one for those of us who have seen money "fall into the wrong cracks" after we gave generously to the Lord's work with the best of intentions.

Having seen more than a few of my gifts fall into some very dark cracks, I certainly did need the encouragement.