Last Two Dollars
Opening:
“Last Two Dollars” by Johnnie Taylor- A lady at the casino spent all her money and had to ask for $2 for bus fare and jukebox. Her story was of desperation
History is full of women taking the little that they had and built something that changed the world. (i.e Madam C.J Walker, Oprah, Sheila Johnson)
Mark 12- The woman in Mark 12 is a poor deflated widowed woman. Jesus observes the woman and commends her for what she did with the last of money
The woman at the church deposited all of her money and won her Savior’s attention
Sermon Key Points:
The action of Jesus is taking place in our church today but the action of the widow is not
Nearly half of church members do not give to God on an average Sunday
Mark 12:41- The text says we live under the gaze of God when we give.
There is no perfect church. Jesus visited a corrupted church and sat opposite the treasury and watched how people gave.
Jesus talks about Christians and their material possessions in all of scripture. It is something about money’s possession of you that matters to God.
First altar in the bible and people gave. Giving is has always been the paradigm for worship.
People are quick to give their money to organizations and other things. But when it comes to God we are tight with our money
Whose attention do you want?
Mark 12:41- “Many rich people put in large sums”. Rich people during this time hire trumpeters to go before them before they give. They wanted people’s attention as they gave to God.
This woman’s little offering will blow it’s own trumpet because she got Jesus’ attention
You can not fake devotion to God or what you give to God
Mark 12:43- Jesus pulled his disciples to the side and told them the woman put more into the treasury than what the rich people gave
She gave from her poverty and they gave from their surplus
Your giving communicates the disposition of your heart to God
The language of giving is always in the form of sacrifice
Jesus believes it is more blessings to give than to receive
For God so loved the world he GAVE his only begotten Son (John 3:16)
MK Curry- The President of Bishop College and gave his whole life to Bishop College. When the college closed he died. Thousands have come to Christ through his work at the college.
Jesus is attracted to this woman because she gave her life to God. And Jesus was going to give his all for all of humanity.
Jesus paid it ALL!!!
