The theme continues about what kind of worship God wants from us…..

Vs. 38- 40

(Jesus) said as he taught them (the large crowd), 'Beware of the doctors of the law, who love to walk up and down in long robes, receiving respectful greetings in the street; and to have the chief seats in synagogues, and places of honour at feasts. These are the men who eat up the property of widows, while they say long prayers for appearance' sake, and they will receive the severest sentence.'

What a shocker!

A paraphrase: 'Beware of theologians, priests, pastors, ministers, elders, deacons and leaders of churches and congregations, who love to walk up and down in their surplices, academic gowns, distinctive clothing, best clothes ('Sunday Best'), receiving respectful greetings in the street, and to have the best seats at church and places of honour at public gatherings. These are the people who administer churches which own valuable property and do lucrative business dealings, while they read long and poetic prayers in public to show how learned and religious they are……….'

How would we feel if someone said that publicly to us about the leaders of our church?

As an Elder and leader in my congregation, it makes me stop and think. How do I feel when I'm 'up front'? Am I trying to do a good job for Christ's sake, or for my own?

I'm not suggesting that all ministers and church leaders have motives that are selfish and self-seeking. I know they're not. But it's a temptation.

Yesterday our minister began his sermon with words to this effect: "One of the hardest things in being a minister is getting up here each Sunday telling you how to live your lives when I fall so far short myself. I can't practise what I preach. I'm telling you to listen to what I say, not do as I do." How many of our church leaders are willing to make that confession in public?

Vs. 41-44

Once he was standing opposite the temple treasury, watching as people dropped their money into the chest. Many rich people were giving large sums. Presently there came a poor widow who dropped in two tiny coins, together worth a farthing (NIB: a fraction of a penny. The Message: a measly two cents). He called his disciples to him, 'I tell you this,' he said: 'this poor widow has given more than any of the others; for those others have given more than enough, but she, with less than enough, has given all that she had to live on.'

In contrast, Jesus , as he sat near the Temple Treasury watching people bringing their Temple taxes and freewill offerings. He saw wealthy people making a show of putting large sums of money into the collection boxes. He noticed and commented on the poor widow as she put in her small offering - no doubt almost surreptitiously, hoping no-one would notice what a small amount she had given.

But Jesus noticed!

And he thought it was so important that he called over the disciples especially to point it out to them. He knew, that like most of us, they'd be dazzled by the generosity of the rich who made such big donations. And like most of us, they were probably a little envious of those rich people who could afford to make such donations.

Everyone is important to him. He commented on a woman's action. Women were the least important - on a level with children and animals. But not to Jesus. Women are as important to him as are men. He makes no distinction between people, no matter what gender, race, colour or social status. We are all equally important to him. He loves us equally. We all have the same privilege of the chance to accept him as our Lord and saviour and to enter the Kingdom of God as his children.

And we all have the same responsibilities - to be obedient children and follow his way of selfless sacrifice and service.

The poor widow's offering represented all she had. The rich peoples' offerings represented only a small portion of their possessions. It must have hurt her to put in what she did. Hers was a sacrificial offering.

Sacrifice. Isn't that giving what hurts us to give? Giving what we value most?

It makes me think again. Am I giving God my time, talents and possessions until it hurts? Or am I giving only until I begin to feel uncomfortable about it or until it becomes inconvenient?

Did Jesus give us only what he was comfortable with? If we are to follow him, do we do as the doctors of the law and the rich people did, or as the poor widow did?

The poor widow's faith. How could she put in all the money she had in the world? That was what she needed for food and to pay her bills. Do we give before we pay our expenses, or do we give out of what we have left over? Our taxes paid to our Government are taken out before we pay anything else. Shouldn't we do the same for God?

The poor woman must have trusted that God would take care of her and her family. Her faith was strong. How strong is my faith when it comes to financial matters?

These two pictures that Mark paints shows us people who had faith in themselves and a woman who placed her faith in God. Jesus leaves us in no doubt as to which he found the most pleasing. So we know what pleases God the most.