The Might of the Mite.
Looking forward with anticipation to Generosity Week, I’ve been thinking lately about what exactly we mean, and what we do not mean by ‘Christian generosity’. It seems that if I meet with two other Christians, we already have three different opinions on the subject!
Our best starting point is likely to be Jesus’ own words on the matter (aren’t they always?). I’ve been dwelling lately with the challenges of Mark 12:38-44. Here, we encounter the outrageous generosity of the widow who, though she has only a ‘mite’ to give, offers to God all that she has to live on. Which of us could possibly begin to approach generosity on this scale? Is that really what Jesus is saying we should do?
The Gospel context draws out the challenge further; the writer is careful to juxtapose Christ’s two observations. First, warning against the example of the scribes who devour widows’ houses while claiming for themselves the places of honour. Second, comparing the widow’s gift of ‘all that she had’, with rich people whose gifts of ‘great sums’ were only a small portion of their abundant wealth.
What are we to make of this? I’m sure the challenge is as much for the Church as it is for each of us on our own journey of generous discipleship. Generosity week will provide a timely moment for us to explore all these things together. Until then, I share some more of my own thoughts here.
Dan Langdon-Griffiths, Stewardship Officer
