When Is Enough, Enough?

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Text- (Mark 12:41-44) Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, "The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford she gave her all." (The Message-Eugene Peterson)

Thought Starters
During the next couple of weeks you are likely to hear a few different words around church. They are Budget, Stewardship, Commitment, and Pledge. These words tell how the church receives money from the members to keep it going each year.

Peter told Mark a story about Jesus watching people give there offering in the temple. (Read or tell the story of Mark 12:41-44)

I read a story a couple years ago that will help you understand what that means. A minister was doing something similar to what we are doing now. He was talking to the children in front of the church. This particular Sunday he brought the offering basket with him. He asked each child to put his or her offering in the basket during this time instead of in the classroom.

Each child got up and put in a few coins or dollars. Some children put their money in an envelope. They went around the circle each child taking a turn. It came around to a little boy who appeared frustrated. It was his turn, it looked like he didn’t have any money, maybe his parents forgot to give him some that morning. He got up walked up to the basket, looked at it and put one foot in and then the other. He was standing in the basket. He told the minister, he was giving his offering. He was giving himself. Are we willing to stand it that basket?

Who gave the most in the story of Jesus in the Temple? Which child gave the most in the story of the offering basket?

(Ask a child to stand in the basket) How does it feel? How did it feel to that young boy?

The definition in the dictionary for the word offering is sacrifice. The definition for the word sacrifice is offering. No matter what we do or how we think Jesus always points us to sacrifice..offering of ourselves when it comes to giving gifts to his church.

Hymn-"What Shall I Render to the Lord" – Benjamin F. Baker

Prayer-Dear Lord, thank you for the story of the widow in the temple. Help us to learn to give our offering as a sacrifice to you. Amen

Prop-A large offering basket (one a child can stand in), a dictionary.

William Bode, Director of Children’s Ministries