The Widow’S Mite: Do We Have It Wrong?

I recently got a comment where a commenter (thrufaithalone) brought upwards an interesting point practiced-nigh the Parable of the Widow’s Mite that I had not heard earlier.

I have always heard the story of the Widow’s Mite used in the context of sacrificial giving – equally that seems to survive the most mutual interpretation amidst Christians. But the commenter argues that it isn’t close that at all.

Anyway allow’s kickoff concur off at the passage of scripture starting a few verses earlier also going a couplet beyond.

Mark 12:38-44

In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, as well as for appearance’s sake offering long prayers; these testament receive greater condemnation.”

And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting inwards large sums. Influenza A virus subtype Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 wretched widow came as well as pose inwards 2 purse-size copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I gild to you lot, this sad widow topographic point inward to a greater extent than than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all pose inwards out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, laid inwards all she owned, all she had to alive on.”

Mark xiii:1-2

As He was going out of the temple, i of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, behold what wonderful stones as well as what wonderful buildings!”And Jesus said to him, “Do yous come across these bully buildings? Not i rock testament motion left upon another which testament non live torn downward.”

Below is the comment received from a reader close the Widow’s Mites passage (edited for brevity)…

The widow’s mite is not an instance of how to give; it’s an lawsuit of how the scribes were “devouring widows’ houses”. Consider:

1. Jesus genuinely says NOTHING to commend the widow for what she did. Words of praise are ABSENT. NOTE: THERE ARE NO ADJECTIVES

2. Jesus’ argument is i of RELATING FACTS as He observes (She gave to a greater extent than than they all because she sort inward all her living)

3. Jesus says NOTHING nearly how the widow FELT nearly what she gave. NOTE: THERE ARE NO ADVERBS.

iv. The alert to beware of the scribes “who devour widows’ houses” inward vs. twoscore parallels Jesus’ utilization of a widow every bit His trial.

5. If this were a lesson on giving, Jesus could choose exactly every fight easily chosen a “pitiable human” every bit His consequence – or simply a “misfortunate woman”, but He was genuinely specific inwards His choice of “a wretched widow.” This ties it to His criticism of the Scribes who He said were “devouring widows’ houses inwards vs. forty.

Scripture repeatedly reveals God’s tending for the widow, the piteous, the fatherless together with the stranger, in addition to also reveals His anger at those who deprive them of what they ask to alive.

If we keep read all of our Bible, the even out of the widow’s mites, given inward context of Jesus’ condemnation of the religious leaders, should brand us cringe. The storey reveals the repetition of their abuses too consequential inevitable judgment.

It makes no sense that Jesus, who is inward the centre of a alarm to His disciples proficient-nigh the scribes devouring widows’ houses, would of a needlelike interrupt the lesson amongst a storey on giving yesteryear wretched widows. I believe that the storey is concern constituent together alongside packet of His warning and an example of how the scribes were “devouring widows’ houses.”

Thoughts?

Regardless of your interpretation of this verse, the Bible is still full of passages that emphasize the importance of giving – so I don’t recollect anything changes on that forepart, but it is interesting to consider this passage inwards a new calorie-complimentary.

What do you lot think – Do yous run across the Widow’s Mites grade differently at i time?

I’ve been excavation inward to scripture and have got been learning a lot, exactly as I did for this article.  In my studies, I have got got flora Bible verses almost money that hold had a stiff demeanor upon on many decisions inwards my life together with so far. And, I wishing to part them with yous because I hope they will assist you lot also!

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