The 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Nov. 9, 2003 (Proper 27B)

1 Kings 17:8-16; Psalm 146 (or Psalm 146:4-9); Heb. 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

These passages can serve as an entrée to the subject of stewardship. The wealthy in Mark’s story make no sacrifice in offering to God because they give from their surplus, from the capital they do not need to live on, from their discretionary funds. In light of their wealth, what they give is only a pittance. On the other hand, the widow is the example of the good steward who makes a significant sacrifice by her offering. Both she and the widow of Zarephath in the Book of Numbers give all they have. This moves beyond the stewardship model of simply giving off the top; they give everything. This can be compared to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ mentioned in the Hebrews reading. His sacrifice results in an abundance of grace for all people. Likewise our offering of time, talent and treasure results in an abundance of grace for others. This is the basic stewardship scenario that often goes along with these readings.

However, there can be another take on this temple scene. Jesus first criticizes the scribes for devouring widows’ houses. Jesus then moves on to comment on the widow who gives all she has. Mark connects the devouring scribes and the poor widow by this literary juxtaposition. The Old Testament is replete with injunctions to care for the poor. Two examples of poor that come up frequently are widows and orphans because they are classic examples of people who are extremely helpless and in need of advocates for defense.

This command to care for orphans and widows that we find in the Hebrew scriptures brings up a question. Would Jesus really want the widow, or us for that matter, to give all we have to the point of destitution? Rightly, he praises her generosity and apparent dependence on God. On the other hand, Jesus is criticizing a situation in society that allows such destitution to exist in the first place. He is criticizing a societal condition that looks the other way when people are in real need. This criticism applies then and now.

Elijah knows that the widow of Zarephath will be provided for after her offering. The widow in the gospel story is not offered any support. She stands before us as an icon of all the destitute of the world. She is presented to us as an icon that indicts all of us who look the other way. Do we look the other way even as we write out our pledge to the church? Do we think that our pittance from our discretionary money has purchased us the luxury of never having to consider the downtrodden of society?

Look It Up

Talk to your parish treasurer, rector or vestry member about how much of the budget goes to outreach.

Think About It

Parish upkeep consumes a good deal of money, and many parishes barely get by financially. How can we create a balance between the expense of maintaining the parish institution and buildings with the cry of the poor?

Next Sunday

The 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Nov. 16, 2003 (Proper 28B)

Dan. 12:1-4a (5-13); Psalm 16 (or Psalm 16:5-11); Heb. 10:31-39; Mark 13:14-23