Christian giving

[JonShaff]

Luke 21:1-4 NLT
While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. [2] Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. [3] “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. [4] For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

The two coins were lepta. One interesting thing I found was that even though it was all she had, I don't think it was even close to a tenth of the income needed to survive.

The Widow "Sowed" into the Pharisees' "Ministry".

The Lesson i learned from the widow's mite is that God will deal more harshly with those who oppress the weak and defenseless.

That's a terrible chapter break in Luke 21...go back to Luke 20...

45 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

 

[MartyF]

The Widow "Sowed" into the Pharisees' "Ministry".

The Lesson i learned from the widow's mite is that God will deal more harshly with those who oppress the weak and defenseless.

That's a terrible chapter break in Luke 21...go back to Luke 20...

45 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

While I could be wrong, I don’t think Jesus or other New Testament writers considered the poor to be victims. But rather emphasized fair and just dealings with all.

 

[JonShaff]

I don’t think Jesus or other New Testament writers considered the poor to be victims.

Good morning!

What do you make of the Verses i quoted?
Luke 20
47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

Isaiah 10
Woe to those who make unjust laws,
to those who issue oppressive decrees,
2 to deprive the poor of their rights
and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people,
making widows their prey
and robbing the fatherless.
3 What will you do on the day of reckoning,
when disaster comes from afar?
To whom will you run for help?
Where will you leave your riches?



Deuteronomy 27:19 “Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”

Isaiah 1:23
Your rulers are rebels,
partners with thieves;
they all love bribes
and chase after gifts.
They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;
the widow’s case does not come before them.

 

[Van]

Luke 21:1-4 NLT
While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. [2] Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. [3] “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. [4] For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

The two coins were lepta. One interesting thing I found was that even though it was all she had, I don't think it was even close to a tenth of the income needed to survive.

Spot on, MartyF

 

[MartyF]

Good morning!

What do you make of the Verses i quoted?
Luke 20
47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

Isaiah 10
Woe to those who make unjust laws,
to those who issue oppressive decrees,
2 to deprive the poor of their rights
and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people,
making widows their prey
and robbing the fatherless.
3 What will you do on the day of reckoning,
when disaster comes from afar?
To whom will you run for help?
Where will you leave your riches?



Deuteronomy 27:19 “Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”

Isaiah 1:23
Your rulers are rebels,
partners with thieves;
they all love bribes
and chase after gifts.
They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;
the widow’s case does not come before them.

I apologize about before I believe you're right that Luke was trying to contrast the religious leaders who were robbing the widows from the Widow who gave the two coins. I don't know why I misread what you had written before and I apologize.

I do like contrasting Deuteronomy 27 with the Beatitudes myself. The contrast brings meaning to when Paul said the Law condemns.

 

[JonShaff]

I apologize about before I believe you're right that Luke was trying to contrast the religious leaders who were robbing the widows from the Widow who gave the two coins. I don't know why I misread what you had written before and I apologize.

I do like contrasting Deuteronomy 27 with the Beatitudes myself. The contrast brings meaning to when Paul said the Law condemns.

It is all good, my brother. I was hoping to shed light on a passage that is usually misunderstood. The Lord be praised that He leads us into all truth! God bless you!