“JESUS SAT OVER AGAINST THE TREASURY”
Mark 12:41

WWJD? Have you ever wondered what Jesus would do if He walked into a gathering of His people today? If Jesus came in the flesh to visit the place you gather with His people this week, where would He sit? What would He look for?

WWJS? Where Would Jesus Sit? When the saints gathered, where did Jesus choose to station Himself? Where did Jesus sit in the gathering of saints? Does the Bible answer this intriguing and important question?

If Jesus came, where would He choose to sit and what would He choose to do? Exciting question isn't it? The following text reveals the insightful answers to these important questions:

“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.” Mark 12:41-42

Where did Christ choose to sit? "Jesus sat over against the treasury." The "treasury" is the place where people gave or didn't give their monies. Jesus notices who gives and who doesn't give. Among those who give, He looks at their heart, whether they are "cheerful givers" (2 Cor. 9:7).

Do you think He observes those who don’t give? Of course.

What did Jesus do while observing those giving? Among the many things that were going on, which of the people's activities did our LORD choose to observe? "Jesus...beheld how the people cast money into the treasury."

What was transpiring as people decided how they were going to steward their monies? "...many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing."

What was Christ's judgment of this matter? What was His conclusion concerning the "rich" who "cast in much" and the "poor widow" who gave all she had? Here it is: "And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want (lack) did cast in all that she had, even all her living." Mark 12:43-44

The rich tipped God out of their discretionary income, while the widow gave all. Jesus was pleased in her and not with them. The monies they retained instead of using for the LORD's work would be used as a testimony against them on that Great and Terrible Day of His Holy Judgment (James 5:1-6).

Let's be transparent and announce, in case someone doesn't realize it, that all Americans are "rich." Did you know that those on welfare in America are among the top 20% of the richest people on earth?

Cable TV, soft drinks, movies, candy items, cars, houses, etc. are luxury items. These things aren’t necessarily sinful, yet God looks at how we steward the monies and possessions He gives us. The firstfruits of all our increase and free will offerings should go to His work (Lev. 27:30; Prov. 3:9-10; Mal 3:8-11, etc.). Giving is foundational to the Church fulfilling the Great Commission. The love offerings of God’s people are essential to the ministering to of and building up of the saints by those called and set apart for such a work (Eph. 4:11-12). Revenues given to the work of the ministry is of paramount importance for those who labor in the Word and doctrine and in the watching over the souls of the saints (1 Tim.5:17-18; Heb. 13:17). God “so loved” that He “gave.” (Jn. 3:16) When you give you are not doing anyone a favor except yourself although what we give is used as a tool to bless others. It is our privilege to give of what God has given to us to steward (1 Chron. 29:14). Make no mistake: It is the giver who is most blessed when he gives, not the recipient - and the LORD will reward the liberal (generous) soul for eternity for what he joyfully chooses to give to His work in this brief life! Wow! (see Prov. 11:24-25; Matt. 6:19-20; Acts 20:35; 2 Cor. 9:6-10).

“All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee” 1 Chronicles 29:14

Recently, a close friend and dear brother in Christ gave one of his vehicles to a true widow sister in Christ (also a close friend of mine). He released from his possession that which would bless another member of the body of Christ and in such set himself free from that excess possession and put it to use for the LORD. He will receive untold eternal benefit from this charitable act from a joyful heart (Matt. 10:42; 2 Cor. 9:6-10; etc.).

“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.“ Proverbs 11:24-25

There is great joy in kingdom giving and when the LORD’s people open their hands generously they send forth (invest in) eternal blessings.

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and is watching what we do with what He has blessed us with. He promised to bless us as we give generously of what He places in our temporary care, participating in His Gospel program, to build up the saints and win the lost (Prov. 3:9-10; Mal. 3:10-11; 2 Cor. 9:6-10). God-ordained and Christ-centered ministers and ministries perform the most important work in the earth and yet their fruitfulness and yours is greatly enhanced or limited by the choice of surrounding saints to give. Eternal blessings await those who partner with the LORD and His body in the building of His Church (Matt. 16:18; 2 Cor. 5:18-20).

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

When we truly begin to aggrandize divine truth, loving God and His people, we will cease from the limited and limiting perspective of only seeing the kingdom of God by what happens in Sunday morning church meetings. We will be much prospered to expand our vision and perspective beyond what we see and may participate in as the organiz

ed and visable church (much of which is not truly NT). Then we will begin supporting only those who truly endeavor to preach all of the full-counsel of the LORD fearlessly and we will cease from funding the ministries of hirelings who allow most of their ministry revenues to be absorbed on things other than that which is at the core of importance in the divine economy, like people - the true building up of the saints - getting them into the Word for themselves, and winning lost souls, feeding and clothing the hungry and naked and taking care of orphans and widows. Beloved, get your check book or debit card or cash out and get a generous love offering into the hands of those you know who are doing the work of the kingdom - today, right now. Forget if they have a P.O. Box, ministry title, or a building - Did Jesus have a ministry name or building or PO.Box? lol No! Jesus said “I will build my church” but did He build even one physical building during His ministry? No! The kingdom of God is within us and we are a spiritual house (Lk. 17:21; 1 Pet. 2:5). Don’t be fooled: Physical things like degrees, building, ministry titles and names, etc. have nothing to do with New Testament kingdom citizenship, authority and ministry. When considering a love offering to a Gospel ministry, just ask this: Is that person or persons doing God’s work according to His Word and from pure hearts? If so, get money into their hands immediately that the work of the Gospel be hindered no longer and that you personally fulfill the requirement God has placed upon you to help in the building up of His Church. Repent and ask the LORD to bless that ministry and to provide you more money to help fund His work in this last hour. Ready or not - Jesus is coming!

Beloved, we must immediately stop the madness of funding unfruitful ministries! The financial flow in the modern industry of church business is not pretty nor is it fulfilling the Great Commission our LORD gave us to teach ALL things HE commanded. His eternal kingdom is not being advanced in the hearts of men and in the earth through church services that are designed to entertain and further lull to sleep those already at ease in Zion (Amos 6:1). Things are not going to change until the true remnant of the LORD ceases to fund false ministries (unfruitful according to New Testament standards) and begins to financially fund the true Gospel through full-counsel, God-fearing servants who labor for the glory of Jesus Christ alone - where ever they find themselves and not just behind a pulpit or in a church building. Friend of Jesus, cause every dollar you give to make an eternal difference in the hearts of men. Jesus is Coming!

Thanks to Safeguard Your Soul for these words of wisdom.   What are your thoughts on this article?