Casting in All Her Living - Mark 12:44

Mark wrote how, “Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow has cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:”, and in chapter twelve and verse forty-four of his book, Mark shared how Jesus said the poor widow, “of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living” where we read:

For all they did cast in of their abundance;

but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

The verse reads, “For all they did cast in of their abundance; ” Mark began with the words, “for all they did cast in” or “because, since and on account that each, every, the whole and everyone of the rich people put and threw into the offering box” “of their abundance” or “from their great measure, overflow and exceeding increase”. Mark shared how Jesus explained that people who gave “large amounts of money” did so out of the “great measure” of their wealth.

The verse goes on to say, “but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Mark continued with the words, “but she” which means “however, nonetheless and notwithstanding this poor widow” “of her want” or “from out of her poverty, falling short and penury” “did cast in all” which means “put and threw in each, every, the whole and everything” “that she had” or “that the poor woman held, possessed and owned”, “even all her living” which means “indeed up to each, every, the whole and everything the poor woman used to sustain herself in her course of life”. Mark shared how Jesus said this “poor widow” put in the “offering box” everything she had to maintain her living.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus acknowledge the “level of giving” of this “poor widow”. All the “wealthy and rich” people Jesus watched were giving a portion from their “abundance” of wealth, however, this “woman” gave everything she owned. This “poor widow” gave in “faith” as she would no longer have any sustenance to maintain her own life. God knows what we have and do not have, and all of it belongs to Him. He allows us to “give” back to Him from that which He has provided, and He commanded the “tithe” or “tenth of our increase” to be the designated amount we should return to Him. This “poor widow” gave “one-hundred percent”, and He model for giving exemplifies the commitment God gave to mankind when He gave His “only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. (See John 3:16)

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Mark share how one of Jesus' disciples says, “Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".