The Lord of Meaningless

The Lord of Meaningless

She was a little apprehensive at first. Walking to the temple was intimidating. After all this was the House of God. Furthermore, there were large crowds surrounding them. She was afraid she would be trampled or harassed by any of them; especially, the Roman soldiers, the temple guard, or one of the Pharisees. They intimidated her. But, she was impressed to continue. She felt something was leading the way. In her heart she felt the conviction that she was doing the right thing. This comforted her. She walked her way through the crowd of merchants, foreigners worshiping, and finally to the door of the temple. She looked inside. She saw men majestically dressed, speaking loudly and arguing ever matters she knew little of. She found her way inside to the treasury. There men were boisterously bragging about how much money they were giving. The crowds cheered as they learned of how much money were in the bags of these men. She felt discouraged. What could her two little mites do? She felt that she and her offering were insignificant. But, a voice in her heart encouraged her to go forward. This gave her courage.
Focused on her pursuit, she did not notice a Man that was looking at her. She approached the basket and dropped her two mites. Silently she whispered a prayer, than turned around and walked away. No one but this Man noticed her. Mark 12: 41 – 44 describes in this way, let us read,

Mark 12: 41And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
Mark 12: 42And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
Mark 12: 43And 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:
Mark 12: 44For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

What we consider insignificant God considers significant. What we shun and dismiss, God emphasizes and praises. What a contrast to the way mankind views things. Man’s efforts to the preacher are always “vanity, a striving for wind.” Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 7: 29, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” Man has abandoned the simple ways of God. He calls them meaningless and insignificant. IN its stead now pursues his own ways and boasts about them.

There is a sentence in the teachers edition of the quarterly that says this, “God’s narrow way, while not always obvious, will get us to our final destination”. It is not always obvious because, this narrow way is made up of decisions or choices that seem little, small, meaningless, or even insignificant. What small things build the narrow road? Those things that the Holy Spirit impresses us to do that at the time seem meaningless; only worth two mites. Probably, because they seem inefficient, out of our control, and to slow. We want control and instant gratification. God’s ways may seem slower and inefficient, but they are always effective.

Today we may not boast about how much money we give. It does not look good. (However, many use their giving as a right to make demands in their local congregation.) Today, there are many who boast about their ministry. How many Bible studies offered, how many books and tracts distributed, how many visitors brought to church, and how many people were baptized, are some examples of how we boast. But, it is the little old sister with her two mite smile that keeps you coming to church. When the old sister dies Jesus dies with her, because He does not abide in those who resist his dwelling. No one else can see Jesus smile since she died. Then there is the gentleman who always has two motes encouragement for the youth. He had to leave the area. Jesus left with him. The youth is no longer greeted by Jesus; the others do not have Jesus in them. They are too busy fighting over policy and the way things should or use to be; things that they consider significant. The love of God is not in them. They have more important things to do. Praying, studying the Word of God, and yielding to the Spirit’s prompting is too much of a hassle. They want action and entertainment. And, what does God say about all their inventions: programs, policies, trainings, social events, etc? It is all vanity, striving after the wind. Not worth two mites.

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