32nd Sunday, B

The Readings 

Archived Homilies 

Key words and phrases  

"The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'"  

Praise the Lord, my soul! 

But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice.

Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury 

Illustration 

Dr. W. O. Lewis used to tell about a man who went to church with a one-dollar bill and a ten-dollar bill in his pocket. This was back in the days when a dollar was much more valuable than it is now. He intended to put the one-dollar bill in the offering, but after church he discovered that he had made a mistake, and had put the ten-dollar bill in the offering plate instead. After thinking about it, he shrugged, and said, “Oh well, God will give me credit for making a ten-dollar contribution.” “No, he won’t,” said Dr. Lewis, “he will give you credit for one dollar, for that’s what you intended to give.”

A small amount given in love, is worth more in the sight of God than a large amount given grudgingly or by mistake. That principle doesn’t mean we should give pennies when we can afford to give dollars. It does mean that, whatever the gift, it should come from a sincere and loving heart.

Jesus was interested in what people gave. He stood in the temple and watched people as they put their money in the treasury box. Some put in a large gift with a flourish. A poor widow came by and quietly dropped in two pennies. This was the gift that thrilled Jesus. The wealthy would not miss what they gave, but the widow gave her food money. It was more important to her to give to the Lord than it was to have enough food on her table.

Of course, we do not have to be poor to make our gifts count. Whatever the state of our finances, we should put real thought and love in what we give and do for others and for God. It’s not the size of the gift that counts, but the love it represents and the resources from which we give it.

Cranford, C. W. 1988. Cups of Light : And other illustrations. Woodlawn Electronic Publishing: Willow Grove, PA

 

Possible Themes:

Charity

Christ as High Priest

Corporal Acts of Mercy

God's Faithfulness

Gods Mercy

Hospitality

Priesthood

Putting Others First 

Reward

Self Exultation

Service

Stewardship

 

Study and Exigesis

Questions: 

How have I recieved God's mercy? 

What does "hospitality" mean today? 

When I put others first, what does it cost me? 

What are the motives for my generosity? 

Quotes 

I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. - C. S. Lewis

10,000 sermon illustrations. 2000 (electronic ed.). Biblical Studies Press: Dallas

 

When it comes to giving, some people will stop at nothing. - Jimmy Carter

10,000 sermon illustrations. 2000 (electronic ed.). Biblical Studies Press: Dallas