Text: Mark 12:38-44
Theme: “2 – Faithfully”
Series: “Living towards Life”
Part 1 – Blessed
Part 3 – Focused
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Intro –As Christians, we want to live faithfully, to have a strong faith. However, there is lots of talk about “having faith” in our world. Therefore, it is important to know and to press on to know the Lord.[1] We need to Know in whom we trust. Faith and trust can be dangerous, if we don’t know well the object of our faith. Have a look on this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y4vbS6c4p4
In faith in Jesus, we are called to live faithfully. That means we want to hold on to what we know is true and place our trust in Him. Therefore, if we want to talk about living faithfully, we need first to be reminded where our faithfulness in anchored God’s faithfulness for us.
1 – The FAITFHULNESS OF GOD
Here’s one working definition for God’s faithfulness: His unwavering commitment to His promises, His people, and His own character, seen most clearly in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It means that God is consistently reliable, unchanging in His love, and entirely trustworthy.
Without God’s faithfunless in our life, our efforts to live faithfully becomes irrelevant. You can try to be faitful, generous, kind and helping. But away from God’s faithfulness you are sowing seeds for this life only. When our faithfulness is aligned with and under God’s faithfulness, we are walking towards eternity.
Thus, God’s faithfulness is a combination of His promise-keeping nature, His actions of redemption through Jesus, and the hope He gives to His people that He will never leave us nor forsake us, even to the end of the age. This faithfulness is the foundation of our trust, and it calls us to respond in faith and action, knowing that God will fulfill all His promises in Christ, bringing us to everlasting life.
How to we see it in the readings today
Psalm 146 – In Psalm 146, we are reminded that God’s faithfulness is evident in His actions: He is the Creator and Sustainer of life, the Redeemer of the oppressed, and the One who keeps His word. God’s faithfulness gives us hope because He does not fail or forget His promises. God’s Promises, actions and Hope
Hebrews 9:24-28 – Faithfull to His promise in Jesus and in the Hope of life everlasting. Hebrews 9:24-28 assures us that God has been faithful in fulfilling His promise of salvation through Jesus, who entered the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf, securing our eternal redemption through His sacrifice. Jesus’ death and resurrection are the ultimate expression of God’s faithfulness, bringing forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life to all who believe.
In Mark 12:38-44, Jesus highlights the difference between the superficial religious display of the scribes and the humble, sacrificial giving of the widow. The widow offers all she has. demonstrating trust in God’s faithfulness, even in times of great poverty. It teaches us that God is faithful not only in His actions but also in His call to us to trust in Him fully, and constantly.
Living Faithfully
From God’s faithfulness, we receive the ability to live faithfully. Our working definition of our faithfullnes for this sermon is: Faithfulness reflects a heart grounded in Christ and aligned with His Word, trusting in God’s provision. It is a living, daring confidence in God. Because:
_We KNOW Him;
-We have our FAITH in HIM
-Therefore, we TRUST Him.
Looking to the Gospel today, we can draw teachings about what our faithfulness means for daily life, that is, how we respond to God’s faithfulness:
_We learn that Jesus was in the temple – A life with the community of faith, especial gathering for Service, is one of the ways in which we live faithfully in Christ, with one another.
_We learn how not to be religious – Jesus condemns the religion of appearances, that places more trust in what we can do than in what God has done and does for us.
_We learn to be faithful in trusting – The poor widow offers all that she had. More than a lesson on offering and stewardship, this is a teaching about unconditional trust. The lady gives all she has to a Church that, according to Jesus’ words, was “devouring her assets”. She still brings her offer, trusting God’s provision for her life.
Living Out Faithfulness:
To these three topics we can add:
- Living with our Hearts aligned with Christ and His Word – know and press on to know Him.
- Living in daring confidence – As Martin Luther puts it, “Faith is a living, bold trust in God’s grace.” Lastly, we must trust in God’s provision. We may fear that giving will leave us lacking but remember the widow. She trusted that God would provide for her needs, and He does the same for us. When we step out in faith, we often find that God exceeds our expectations. (more at the end)
- Living in service to others – Our faithfulness is rooted in Grace. Jesus became the greatest offering, giving His life as a sacrifice for us. Our response to His grace shows our faithfulness in daily life.
In Lutheran theology, we often speak about the theology of the cross, which teaches us that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). This widow embodies that theology. She acknowledges her weakness and poverty but still trusts God with what little she has. In her act of giving, she reveals the biblical truth: faithfulness is a response to God’s grace, not a way to earn it.
Ultimately, as Martin Luther wrote, “Faith is a living, bold trust in God’s grace, so certain of God’s favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it.”
Cc – Charles Blondin was a French acrobat who gained fame in the mid-19th century for his incredible tightrope-walking feats. On June 30, 1859, he became the first person to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope, performing the feat over 1,000 feet of raging water. Blondin crossed back and forth several times, often performing stunts such as walking blindfolded, carrying a man on his back, or even cooking an omelet mid-crossing.
It is said that a memorable moment came when he asked a man from the audience if he believed he could cross the falls. The man responded affirmatively. Blondin then asked him to get on his back to cross together, but the man hesitated and ultimately refused. They knew him, but not enough to take the risk.
As Christians, we trust in the Lord because we know Him. Thus, we know that God’s faithfulness will never fail, even when we know we will fail in our faithful living. Therefore, we can always rely on God’s faithfulness to forgives us, strengthen us and sustain our steps as we Live towards Life. Even if crossing the wire over dangerous places. We know we will make it safe to the other side.
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[1] Hosea 6:3: “Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”
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Additional resources
In our Gospel reading from Mark, we see Jesus observing the crowds in the temple. He notices how the religious leaders display authority and seek attention through their long robes and elaborate prayers. But amid this showmanship, a poor widow quietly approaches and offers everything she has—two small coins. Let’s pause for a moment to appreciate the scene: here’s a woman with no wealth, no status, and yet she embodies the faithfulness pointed out by Jesus.
__In Jewish society, widows were among the most vulnerable groups, often living in poverty with little means of income or legal protection. A woman typically depended on her husband for financial security, so widowhood often resulted in economic hardship and social marginalization.
–Widows were specifically mentioned in Old Testament law as people deserving of care and protection (Exodus 22:22-24, Deuteronomy 10:18), and the prophets frequently condemned Israel for neglecting widows (Isaiah 1:17, Jeremiah 7:6). Despite these commands, widows in Jesus’ time faced systemic neglect.
Historical and Religious Context: Status and Influence: Scribes held privileged positions within Jewish society, enjoying the deference and respect of the people. They often wore distinctive robes and were given special seats of honor in the synagogue and at public gatherings. They were educated experts in Jewish law (the Torah) and were highly respected religious authorities. Often affiliated with the Pharisees, scribes served as legal advisors, teachers, and interpreters of the law. Some scribes were members of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council), giving them significant influence in both religious and social matters.
Religious Hypocrisy: In this text, Jesus criticizes scribes for their hypocrisy, as they appeared devout but often acted in self-serving ways. Jesus points out that some scribes were known to “devour widows’ houses” (v. 40), suggesting financial exploitation under the guise of religious authority. This was an example of using a position of power for personal gain, directly contradicting the values of compassion and justice upheld in Jewish law (Micah 6:8).
Focus on External Appearances: The scribes’ emphasis on external piety, such as lengthy prayers and public displays of devotion, conflicted with the biblical teaching that true righteousness comes from the heart. Isaiah 29:13 criticizes similar behavior, saying, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
Addressing Discomfort About Financial Topics in the Church:
Thought: Why are we talking about money in church? It feels awkward and transactional.
In fact, discussions about money can feel uncomfortable. We live in a society where money matters are often seen as private. But our discussions around giving in the Church aren’t just about finances—they’re about faith, trust, and our relationship with God.
Fear of Being Judged. Thought: What if I can’t give as much as others? Will I be seen as less faithful?
God looks at the heart, not the amount. It’s important to understand that God doesn’t measure our faithfulness by the size of our offerings. The widow’s two small coins were valued far more than the large sums given by others. God cares about the intention and sacrifice behind our giving, not the amount. Each of us is called to give according to our ability, and that looks different for everyone.
Concerns About the Church’s Financial Practices. Thought: How does the church use the money? Are we being good stewards?
Our Church is absolutely transparent about her financial practices and stewardship. It is important for all of us to know how your offerings are being used. We strive to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us, and we are committed to transparency. All members of the congregation have access to the finances of the congregation via voters meeting and other forums. Our offerings utilize to bring God’s Word to the World, reaching out Glocally (Globally and locally).
Feeling Overwhelmed by Expectations. Thought: I feel like I should be doing more, but I’m already stretched thin. How can I give more?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of giving, consider what you can offer, even if it feels small. Stewardship is about offering from what you have, not from what you lack. God sees our hearts, and He invites us to serve in ways that fit our circumstances.
Discomfort with the Concept of Sacrifice. Thought: Why does it always have to be about sacrifice? Can’t giving be about joy?
Yes, we often talk about sacrifice, but it is a sacrifice of praise (Romans12). This means that it is also about the joy that comes from giving. When we give, we participate in God’s work and share in His mission. This is fulfilling and life-giving, for we are being means to connect people to the life that lasts forever, and it is found only in Jesus.
Concern About Guilt-Driven Giving. Thought: I don’t want to feel pressured to give out of guilt or obligation.
Offerings a response to grace, not guilt. It should flow from a heart transformed by God’s love and grace. It is our joyful response to what God has already has done for us, and not a way to push Him into doing things for us.
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Addressing skepticism about the Relevance of Faith:
Thought: Does faith really matter in the grand scheme of things? What difference does it make in my daily life?
Many people struggle with seeing the relevance of faith. Sometimes, even a Christian may question how faith impacts his/her daily life, especially in a world that often values tangible results. However, true faith in Christ is a source of hope, strength, and community with no equal anywhere in the World. It goes beyond our immediate circumstances and invites us to live with purpose and action, serving God and serving our neighbour.
Cynicism About Authentic Faith:
Thought: Isn’t everyone just playing a part? Can anyone truly have authentic faith?
It’s easy to feel like we’re all just putting on a show, but true faith begins in weakness. However, we know that authentic faith exists because the Bible teaches us about it. Faith is not a human product, but a God given gift, generated by His Word. Therefore, we know that in Christ our faith in authentic, for it is sustained in us by the action of the Holy Spirit. Also, authentic faith is shown in actions, fruits of that faith that serve God and serve the neighbour. Of course, we all have our moments of doubt and questioning, even the disciples wrestled with their beliefs. What matters is God’s Word that brings us the assurance that His gift of faith is real, authentic and life giving
Questioning the Validity of Scriptural Authority:
Thought: Why should I trust the Bible or the teachings of Jesus? Aren’t they just ancient texts?
While it’s true that the Bible is an ancient text, its teachings have stood the test of time. They invite us to know Jesus, to have our faith in Him, to reflect on the human experience and to engage the World with the Word. We are encouraged to explore these texts as the Timeless Truth shared into our humanity.
Skepticism About Generosity and Sacrifice:
Thought: Why should I give my time or resources to church? Isn’t it just a way for them to ask for more money?
Discussions about giving can sometimes raise doubts, but our call to generosity isn’t about filling the church’s coffers. It’s about sharing the Word, nurturing faith, and sharing a spirit of compassion and care for others. When we give, we reflect God’s love, we praise God’s name, and we share God’s work with people around us.
Doubt About the Church’s Integrity:
Thought: How can I trust the church when there are so many scandals and hypocrites?
It’s understandable to feel disillusioned by the church, given the failures of its leaders and members. But one of the reasons for this disillusionment is a wrong image of what the Church is our should be. The church is made up of imperfect people seeking forgiveness and striving to grow in their faith. Jesus himself addressed hypocrisy among the religious leaders of His day. The goal isn’t perfection, but authentic faith in forgiveness, new beginning and Growth in Grace.
