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| Widow's mite |
Beware of religious people. Jesus is in Jerusalem investigating the religious institution there and he doesn't like what he sees (Mark 12-13).
He sees the religious leaders dressing and acting in ways that draw attention to themselves and away from the injustices they are purveying.
Jesus notes that they crave wealth so much that they "devour widows' houses." The term "widow" is used in the Bible to represent an entire class of underprivileged people, those who are the most vulnerable and lacking in power and access to resources.
See Exod 22:22-24; Deut 10:18; 24:17-21; 26:12-13; 27:19; Isa 1:17; 9:17; Jer 7:6; 22:3; 49:11; Zech 7:10; James 1:27; and 1 Tim 5:3, for examples of how serious God is about us caring for the marginalized.
Just as Jesus is commenting on the religious leaders' oppression of the poor, a number of rich people come and give large sums to the corrupt temple treasury. In the midst of them a poor widow comes and gives two copper coins, or about a penny.
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| The widow making her offering. |
The Greek word used for what she gave is bios, "life" - she literally gave all she had to live on.
This passage is often used as an example of proper stewardship in relation to giving. But that's not what's going on here.
Jesus is lamenting the widow's mistreatment under the corrupt temple structure; a structure that keeps her in poverty. She is a tragic example of a religious system that takes advantage of the very people most in need of its help.
The question for us is: Are our religious institutions protecting the most vulnerable members of our society? Or is there something inherent in the way we do things, that exploits the very people we are charged to protect?
3 comments:
in my opinion most churches avoid people who are untouchable just as much as Jews seemed to back in the day. Little has changed. That isn't to say all churches do this - some go out of their way to live this out - though some just throw donations at them and call it love gifts.
Depends on the institution and what their theology looks like when the rubber hits the road.
Whether it be a denomination or a church, I believe Charlie is right in that most Christian communities are weary of those who are truly outcasts by society.
I believe the parable of the sheep and goats says it best: you'll find christ in the place your system least expects- the jails, the poor, the hungry, the needy.
Its an uncomfortable thing knowing we're called to love, ministry, and in my opinion, try to reject the systems that oppress these people. Whats more uncomfortable is that I know I fail at that in so many ways.
It certainly is one thing to recognize these principles and another to follow them!
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