I’ve mentioned before that I’m not a huge fan of “The Philanthropist.” But an episode we saw last night was compelling and seemed as is wont to happen, to dovetail with a scriptural reading of the day before.
In a nutshell: The philanthropist, Teddy finds that some one has gotten his credit card and is using it, not just for personal gain, but to actually help people. He goes in quest of the thief.
In his journey, he comes upon a recipient of largess, a man in a wheelchair. The impostor Teddy has paid for a ramp to be built on his front porch. After hearing the story, the real Teddy inquires whether there could be updates inside as well, and then tells the man he will pay for further alterations.
The man is overwhelmed and continues to thank Teddy, who continues to put him off, finally telling him, “Seriously, this is nothing to me at all. Nothing. I mean it doesn’t affect my life, please don’t thank me.” The man looks on in wonder, and says, “I’m happy to have met you.” Teddy replies, “it’s been my privilege to meet you.”
This came on the heels of this passage from Mark:
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all these who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (14:41-44)
There seemed to be a message here. In the previous verses, Jesus had commented on the scribes, and their pomposity in being SEEN as pious. Here he seems to comment on the wealthy and their SEEMING largess. Just a few chapters earlier in Mk 10: 17-22, we have the story of the rich man, and Jesus advising him to sell all and follow me.
What are we to make of all this? Are we to impoverish ourselves in order to be Christlike? I don’t think that is what Jesus meant. As to the story of the rich man, most I think realize that this is not an injunction to become poor, but a wake up call to consider where you place your values. The rich man was ” grieved” at the thought of giving up his possessions.
Similarly, I don’t think that the message of 14:41-44 speaks to it being better to give up all your resources to be blessed. The sticking point perhaps for the wealthy who have given more to the treasury is their doing so publicly so all can admire their giving.
Like Teddy, their giving does no harm to their lifestyle whatever. In that sense, it is no gift at all, but is but what is expected. They have more than they can use, it should be as a matter of course given to the public upkeep. Nothing to applaud here, nothing to see, move along.
We too fall short of the mark when we limit our giving to the “sanitary” offering of money, not wanting to get our hands dirty or expend our precious time in actual service. The widow, humbled to appear among the wealthy and still offer her small sum, was herself reduced by her giving. She would suffer want herself. It meant something to her to give that penny.
We have to ask ourselves, are we pleasing God by simply giving of our abundance, taking some satisfaction that we are checking off on the list of “how to get to heaven” another item? We walk near the homeless woman and drop a few dollars in her basket, avoiding eye contact, avoiding the reality of her life. We feel satisfied and move on, having done our duty.
Yes, undoubtedly the money contributes, and nobody is arguing that the rich and famous of Cape Cod and the Hamptons should stop their fund raiser balls and extravaganzas. But like Teddy, they are not personally touched by their giving, not limited in what they can buy, use or consume. It is after all, a tax write-off.
It is our nitty gritty getting down in the ugliness of life, and rolling up our sleeves and entering into the lives of the poor that counts most I’m convinced. Only there do we learn the important lessons of compassion and empathy that will transform our own lives.
I have often found it interesting that conservatives tend to quibble about “who is really poor.” They like to define away whole groups, the immigrant who is not legal is not one we need address with our help. Nor the lazy, nor the emotionally precarious, for the most part. People who make poor choices are not in the mix.
Yet, try as I might, I can no where ever find in the bible anything but “the poor.” I can’t for the life of me find the “actual poor” the “entitled poor” or the “real poor.” I find only THE poor. Not in the Hebrew Testament nor in the the New Testament. Jesus seemed never to have drawn any distinction between worthy poor and unworthy.
I have been no better than most, worse by far than some, and better than a few in all this. I am learning, growing, and hopefully with the Spirit’s help, I am seeing the Master’s meaning aright. It is a thing to ponder on I believe. What say you?
Existential Ennui 
I’d go probably a step further. I think that passage has nothing to do with money, per se. It has to do with all sorts of poverty, including poverty of spirit. Giving money is easy…. even for me on my fixed income when giving might mean affect my wants (never my needs) but to actually give from the heart, based on what I see or hear, is real giving. That’s the essence of true mindfulness.
Oh.. and remember the other passage? “Never let the right hand know what the left is doing.” Give and move on.
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Chani I believe you have significantly added to what I said. Thank you. I agree on the poverty of spirit. Those who do it thoughtlessly are in deep poverty.
You know who’s poor? Glenn Beck. They took all his advertisers away, and now he’s not allowed on teevee for a week. Sniff.
Randal, you are a scalawag. But a loveable one, and Glenn, he deserves to be poor in TV time.
This is a really good point -I’m afraid I am guilty of the “write a check because it’s easy” kind of giving. I need to do more.
I have been too Maui, but I’m trying little by little to get more hands on, and I must say, its incredibly rewarding. Truly it is a privilege.
More than 30 years ago, I read a footnote to that passage in Mark’s gospel, probably in the Jerusalem bible, since that was the one I used most often then (and now). The footnote said that wealth was considered a sign that God was blessing and individual. Simple enough.
But what I took away was this: what do I consider the OBVIOUS signs that God is blessing me? Am I willing to give that up? Can I live without the pat on the head, the “atta-girl”? Not always. It’s the money, but it’s more than the money. It’s the heart.
hmmmm I too have a Jerusalem bible, but I used my NRSV for this. I should check what it says. But I agree that in Jewish theology, money was considered a blessing from God. Another concept that Jesus upset.
But I agree, we very much desire to be acknowledged for what we do. We find it hard to do without being publically applauded.
That footnote would have disturbed me. If God “blesses” people by making them rich, then I guess he must love the Mafia and the drug cartels.
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Ahh but Jesus said that that reasoning was wrong!
Sherry, Mark 14:41-44 has nothing about a poor widow giving a penny, and thus found the biggest giver.
Mark 14:41-44 is Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, noticing his apostles asleep, saying His Hour has Come, and being betrayed by Judas. Protestant and Catholic Bibles both have Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemae; No money offerings, no widow offering a penny.
Did you mean another Book, not Mark?
Sorry Anthony, it was 12:41-44. I mistyped obviously…Thanks for the correction.
Indeed, Sherry, the whole issue is a thing to ponder. Since I do regard The Word as Truth, that is where I always search to seek the principles I can find about such questions. In this area concerning the poor and our response and actions, perhaps these points might be considered.
First Jesus himself states that, “For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.” (John 12:8, Matthew 26:11, & Mark 14:7). I can see many things here…. Because we live in a fallen world, we will have the poor with us always. This consequence of sin is something that we can not eliminate but can administer aid and reduce in our sphere of influence. It also indicates that there is an area of our choice in this adminishtration.
You also state…Jesus seemed never to have drawn any distinction between worthy poor and unworthy.
Since 1 John 1:1 is one place that defines Jesus as the “Word of Life” and I believe that the Holy Scripture is Word, I ask you to consider these verses as giving some distinction to worthy poor and unworthy poor. A principle is given in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
Another 1 Timothy 5:16 If any believing man or [woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows. There is alot that could be said but it clearly shows there is an evaluation being given.
The last statement that I would like to address is…are we pleasing God by simply giving of our abundance, taking some satisfaction that we are checking off on the list of “how to get to heaven” another item? I realize that you are just declaring the question, but to anyone who would actually have such a list I feel such deep sorrow for their ignorance of the TRUTH. Mankind is unworthy of any action that would earn him any righteousness from Holy God. That is why Jesus wrapped himself in human flesh and came to earth. He alone accomplished everything needed to secure justice for God the Father and reconcilliation between Holy God and sinful mankind. The only thing left on the list for mankind to do is accept Jesus as the Savior. If that choice is not made then that person is saying I can take care of the sin issue myself …..now that is deception and the lie which eliminate him from eternal life with Holy God.
Keep me pondering Sherry……there is no greater fun than searching out HIS WORD……Bethany
Bethany, That verse about “always having the poor” is often pointed out. I’m not sure what people think it signifies. Does it honestly mean we should never erradicate poverty even when we can because somehow God wants there to be a supply of needy to give charity to? Some have actually said that to me.
I would argue that Jesus in fact means that during this time, the poor continue to exist, and during this present age, they will not disappear, but I will not be here forever in the flesh. I don’t think he was speaking that this was an acceptable way of life in God’s kingdom.
I’m not sure how you equate sin and poverty. The fact that people will continue to act badly seems to have little to do to me with poverty.
I’m not sure about the authenticity of 2nd Thess. but either way, Paul is referring to the church itself in Thessilonica. This problem has been addressed elsewhere as well, with the more wealthy members not waiting for the laborers to arrive, eating all the food and so forth. Paul, if indeed it is Paul, speaks to those in the church who have taken to doing nothing and expect to live off the wealth of others. There were sects within the community that felt that Jesus would return very soon, and so saw no need to continue working for a living. I don’t think the passage has anything to do with the widows and orphans and other needy in the community. It speaks to “believers”.
I take Timothy very carefully. It almost assuredly was not written by Paul, but well after his death, and in some sense, Timothy on many issues attempts to pull back from Paul’s radical vision of equality. Again, they speak to believers.
In any case, I would be much more strongly guided by the sayings of Jesus, wherein he made no such distinctions and the OT prophets who also made no such distinctions that I can recall.
When there is conflict between Paul, Deutero/Paul and Jesus, as there often is, I believe that accepting Jesus is the preferable term. But now you do have me interested in checking out the other gospels that did not make the canon to see what they report Jesus as saying on the issue, if anything.
As an aside, and surely not as proof, my church in ministering a food pantry and a free clinic, never ever questions anyone to prove their “right” to be helped. We give without restraint and let God sort out if there are any who shouldn’t have. But I’m inclined to believe that anyone who asks for help surely must need it.
Thanks for making me work!