JESUS WAS TIRED FROM THE DAY'S BATTLE, BUT AS HE SAT AGAINST THE TREASURY HE WAS REFRESHED!

1. This was the last day of our Lord's public ministry- the battles & tough sermons were over
2. Like a rose in the desert, He saw something that blessed His soul- and he needed encouragement
3. He called His Disciples close to Him to share with them something very precious - and as often, that which is most precious is also very fragile, handled in hushed tones!

I.- JESUS SAT WATCHING  Mark 12:41-2

Even during the time when He was resting- He was conscious of souls- Ex: Samaritan Woman & well

A.- THE DAY HAD BEEN LONG, JESUS HAD FACED THE ENEMY ALL DAY AND NOW HE WAS TIRED, NEEDING REST

1. The Jewish leaders took turns- Priests-Authority; Pharisees-Money; Sadducees-Insurrection; Scribes- the greatest commandment
2. The Disciples were probably arguing over His hot sermon-Matt 23; or gawking at the Temple
3. But as Jesus rested He beheld HOW people cast money into the treasury- saw their hearts

B.-JESUS SAT OVER AGAINST THE TREASURY IN A GREAT BUILDING THAT COULD HAVE HELD 15,000

1. In row of Colonnades-a series of Boxes- trumpets on top- People dropped in money as they went by
2. Each was designated- A Pledge, For Poor, to make up a neglect, for Building, for poor priests-
3. Your envelope today- Building; Ministry; Equipment; Missions; Schools; Benevolence; for flowers!

C.- JESUS BEHELD THE PEOPLE, THE EYES OF THE LORD RUN TO AND FRO UPON THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH

1. Many rich cast in much-& is needed- but still only 1/10 Recreation; 1/6 Alcohol & Tobacco
2. But Jesus saw a pauper Widow cast in about 1 Mil.- 1/10 of 14 -she came quietly by & gave
3. Jesus judged not only appearances- but also He judged motives- looking deeply into hearts

You can rest assured He knows your motive for giving-, for coming to church,-love has no fe(illegible)

II.- HE CALLED HIS DISCIPLES Mark 12:43

They gathered in close- just as we have today; I suspect motives of those along- & in back row

A.- JESUS DID NOT SPEAK TO HER; IT WAS NOT NEEDED, AND IT WOULD HAVE RUINED A BEAUTIFUL SCENE

1. He did not encourage her for she was walking by faith and needed the spiritual exercise!
2. He did not promise to reward her for it- for her reward would be sweeter in heaven than then
3. Had she known He saw she would have been embarrassed- and the precious moment crushed

B.- OFTEN THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE, IT WAS ONE PERSON'S FAITH IN ACTION THAT GOD POINTED TO

1. The widow of Zarephath saved Elijah- I Ki 17- and in return later Elijah saved her son- death
2. It was a small lad that had the loaves & fishes- remember- Jesus said it is enough!
3. The woman with the alabaster box of perfume- a very special sacrifice for Jesus- costly.

C.- AND SO IT HAS BEEN IN THE HISTORY OF THIS CHURCH, & EXPERIENCE OF THIS PASTOR - God sends one-

1. There was a widow- Mary McDaniel-Worked hard- in top givers of Church-made Choir robes
2. Another widow of sorts- sold her home- & gave sacrificially to force us into the C. E. Building
3. My family often sustained in a strike in Clifton -by several ladies here- & some men -sacrificial

I do not worry about famine in our land-for if you eat, I will eat! & this church will prosper!

III.- JESUS SAID SHE CAST IN MORE Mark 12:43,4

Jesus had a message for his very own- and this same message is needed by his Disciples today

A.- GOD MEASURES THINGS IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN WE MIGHT MEASURE THEM- SO DON'T ARGUE WITH HIM

1. We could argue Quantitatively- Her little penny was hardly worth collecting- who gave most?
2. But Jesus spoke Qualitatively- She cast in more than all- for she cast in all!
3. Do not judge appearances- John 7:24 - for the Lord looks on the hearts of men- Rom 8:27

B.- WHEN IT COMES TO GIVING OF MONEY, THE NEW TESTAMENT HAS A STANDARD FOR US TO JUDGE OURSELVES BY

1. I Cor 16:2 tells us to "lay by in store as God has prospered"- and I believe in tithing- Church
2. II Cor 8:2-4 tells of Philippians- giving out of poverty; they abounded, liberality, joyful
3. The need was a famine in Jerusalem and they gave beyond their means- (make sure God so leads)

C.- WHERE PAUL LOOKED FOR CHARITY TO HELP THE HUNGRY IN JERUSALEM, HE FOUND SOMETHING MORE v.5

1. "They gave themselves to the Lord" - You can't buy your way into heaven- GOD WANTS YOU!
2. "They gave themselves unto us" - They submitted their will to Paul's will-cooperation-order
3. and it was "By the will of God" - If what you do is not God's will- it will sour!

Can you pray with the Psalmist 139:23,24 - Search me O God- Know my heart- Really -He does!

NEITHER FOR SHOW, NOR HIDDEN FOR FALSE MODESTY, HAVE YOU GIVEN YOUR OWN HEART TO THE LORD?

1. He wants you to accept Him as Savior- if you have not come to Him as a sinner- now is time
2. But then your new nature cries out to give itself- your heart, your soul- to the Lord!  Have you?
3. If He has your heart- it will show in how you use your money- for where your treasure is, there will be your heart too! Do you need to move your treasure?