November 12, 2006 

Mark 12:38-44

Pastor Gary E. Benson

Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester, MN

 

“How Much is Enough?”

On Tuesday the question was, “Will my candidate get enough votes?” On Friday, after eleven inches of snow, the statement was, “This is enough!” Other “enough” statements or questions are like this:

·  Will my health be good enough?

·  Will I live long enough?

·  Even faith. Do I have enough?

·  Or regarding the stewardship of all God’s gifts, am I responsive enough?

 

Today’s gospel text, often entitled, “The Widow’s Mite,” is challenging, provocative.  Furthermore, as the Bishop told us this week at the Fall Theological Conference, we are to share from our faith story; I share this as it relates to our text.

 

I think of April 1960, my mother became a widow; she was in her forties.  For some years she worked at a minimum wage position until her health was such that she couldn’t work.  When she died at age 83, just over thirteen years ago, I was astounded to discover that her total monthly income upon death was $418 a month.  On that amount of money she maintained her house, car, supported her congregation with a weekly tithe – and never, if ever, did she complain about having little and others having so much more.  In that regard, years ago I was asked, “Well, what was it like to have your father die and then grow up in a single parent family with little money?”  My recollection was simply this: we didn’t have much, but we always had enough -- enough food, clothes, enough love, enough faith.  And when times were tough and it didn’t seem we would have enough, Mom would say, “God will take care of us!” Life was always about what we did have, not what we didn’t have – and that was enough.

 

I am not trying to make my mother out like the widow in the Gospel, but for me, she was a strong witness of the faith – in word and action – she talked the talk and walked the walk.  More specifically, in the Gospel, Jesus was contrasting the bold faithful witness of the widow to the Pharisees who simply talked the talk, but did not walk the walk.  The offering of “two small copper coins” was a reflection not simply of some mathematical calculations, law, or theory of generosity but out of soul searching and joy filled faithfulness.

 

Without question when one reads this familiar gospel text, it often prompts the questions, “Am I walking the walk I talk? How much is enough to return to the Lord?” 

 

Listen closely. I am going to tell you the answer. I am going to get you off the hook, set your mind at ease, so when you walk out in the parking lot and see the church sign that says, “How Much is Enough,” you will know the answer.  

 

“How much is enough?” By your presence, I believe you know “how much is enough.” Jesus is enough!  “For God so loved the world, for God so loved you (for God so loved the widow in the text – as well as the Pharisees) that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever would believe in him, would not perish, but would have everlasting life!”

 

The good news of the gospel is this (listen closely with your intellect and spirit), “How much is enough is not a calculation; it is a faithful responsive proclamation and celebration of God’s gracious love to us in Christ!” Jesus was not looking over her shoulder and instructing or suggesting to the widow in our text prompting her faithful gift. But know this, Jesus resided in her heart!

 

Remember that song, “We love, because God first loved us” (for God so loved the world)? We give/return – because God first loved us – not because then God will love us.  Christian stewardship, the faithful life is not about duty, penance, or indulgences. It is about celebratory devotion to the one who gifts us with life and breath and every good.

 

I think about being at a football game and overhearing two parents of high school students. The conversation was something like this, “I don’t care where my kids go to college, but I am not going to change my life style (sacrifice) so they can do what they want!”  Now trust me, I paid my own way through college; I have been there, done that. But when our daughters went to college, Sara and I were more than willing to sacrifice to help them out. Why - out of love. Don’t we do what we can for those and that which we love and value?

 

Consider the words of Micah in terms of what/or how much is enough. Micah writes, “He has shown you, O people, what is good and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God.” That is what it. Faithful living, faithful stewardship means, putting action in our faith attitude. It is allowing God’s light to shine through our thoughts, words, deeds as individuals – or corporately through the program and ministry of the congregation. For example (and this is not “out there,” but here!):

• be it sewing of and distribution of quilts as we recognize today;
• or the outreach of our choir today in Minneapolis,
• or  peer ministry training with youth today,
• or placing your financial offering in the offering plate today,
• attending study classes today,
• or seeking out mission or fellowship opportunities today (all of this is occurring through the ministry of this congregation today),
• or signing up for our Vision for Mission sessions,
• such activity gives witness and puts truth in the statement, “Jesus is enough – and who and what I am about in congregation and community reflects that love!”

 

Yes, through the testimony and witness of our faith stories, we affirm and celebrate that Jesus is enough.  That is enough!