The widow's all
Children's sermon
Object:
a penny
Jesus knows what happens inside us! At the time Jesus lived
among people, there was a group known as the scribes. They liked
for others to think that they were very religious. One way they
made that known is by giving lots of money to God. How do we
give money to God? (Let them answer.) By putting money in the
offering plate. That is how they gave money a long time ago as
well. The only difference was that people would come up to the
offering plate and put their money in, but we pass the offering
plate around.
The scribes always made sure people saw that they put in lots of money. They wanted others to think highly of them. But Jesus sat by the offering plate one day with his disciples and watched people put in money. Many people put in lots of money. But one woman came and didn't put in very much -- just two little coins. They were worth about a penny! Can you buy much with a penny? (Let them answer.) Of course not. A penny is a very small offering.
But Jesus said that this poor woman, who was a widow -- which means that her husband had died -- put in "more than all...." Why did he say that? (Let them answer.) Because, like I said at the beginning, Jesus can see inside a person's life. He knew that she was very, very poor and that even a penny was worth a lot to her. In fact, a penny was all she had! And she gave it to God! Wow! She really had faith!
You and I may not have much either, but we give to God what we can and want to give. I'm glad we have an offering so that we have the chance to give important things to God -- like our money.
Dear Jesus: We give you money because we love you so. Amen.
The scribes always made sure people saw that they put in lots of money. They wanted others to think highly of them. But Jesus sat by the offering plate one day with his disciples and watched people put in money. Many people put in lots of money. But one woman came and didn't put in very much -- just two little coins. They were worth about a penny! Can you buy much with a penny? (Let them answer.) Of course not. A penny is a very small offering.
But Jesus said that this poor woman, who was a widow -- which means that her husband had died -- put in "more than all...." Why did he say that? (Let them answer.) Because, like I said at the beginning, Jesus can see inside a person's life. He knew that she was very, very poor and that even a penny was worth a lot to her. In fact, a penny was all she had! And she gave it to God! Wow! She really had faith!
You and I may not have much either, but we give to God what we can and want to give. I'm glad we have an offering so that we have the chance to give important things to God -- like our money.
Dear Jesus: We give you money because we love you so. Amen.
