Luke 20:45-21:1-4 — Widow wins

READ THIS: Luke 20:45-21:1-4

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.”

1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

It's easy to look like we care about God and to look like we respect Him and give things/time to Him. It's hard to actually do those things, especially when we've had a hard time and we're low on money. 

It's in our lowest moments that we find out what we really believe. If we truly believe that God has given us everything, then, despite it being hard, we will willingly give all we have to God, whether it's our time, our talents, or our treasure. 

The point of the story isn't that we should all be broke. The point is whether we are actually submitting to God, and if God asked us to give up everything, would we? Or are we just following God to look good? If we're just following Him to get the respect and attention of other people, then that's our full reward. We'll get exactly what we wanted. People's attention, and not God's. 

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Should the people described in verses 46-47 be "severely" punished? Why or why not? Try your best to come up with arguments for both sides! After doing that, then decide what you think!
 
2. Out of the three types of people in this story, who do you relate to the most? The religious leaders, the rich, or the widow? Why? In what ways are you like each of them?

TRY THIS:

Collect coins throughout this week, and give every coin away to someone, whether that's to a kid you know or to the ushers on Sunday morning! Think about why you're doing it!

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