Take My Life, Pt. 3
This week we’re looking at the lines “Take my silver and my gold / not a mite would I withhold”. While the verse carries on, I think this should give us far more than enough to discuss this week!
James C Christensen, “The Widow’s Mite” (Mk 12:41)
Anchor Texts:
Psalm 24:1 CSB - Psalm 24 The King of Glory
Luke 21:1-4 NIV - The Widow’s Offering
Matthew 19:16-22 ESV - The Rich Young Man
1 Peter 4:7-11 ESV - God’s Varied Grace
I’ve included some notes with attidional texts from the sermon below:
-Paul worked as a tent-maker wherever he went, kept the money and spent it on room and board and travel. Acts 9:1-14
-Priscilla and Aquilla kept their house, Acts 9:1-14
-Lydia hosts a house church while obviously still managing the house and running her business in order to keep it. Acts 16:14, 40
-Paul praises "going back to work" to supply his own needs. Acts 18:3
-Paul says be quiet, work with your hands, don't be a disturber of the peace. 1 Thess 4:11-12
-Paul expects income earners to set aside a portion of money every Sunday to support the church leaders and support other churches in growing and surviving. 1 Cor. 16:1
Questions to Ponder:
In the story of the widow’s offering (Luke 21:1-4 above) she gave “all that she had” - how do you interpret this as an application for your life? Are you to do the same? What’s the same and what is differnt about your situation and hers?
Read Matthew 19:16-22. Various commentators suggest that western readers habitually interpret this passage to avoid it’s plain meaning. Do you think our primary goal in interpreting this passage is to soften its meaning so we can keep our stuff?
How would you explain “not a mite would I withhold”? What do you think lyricist Frances Havergal meant? What do you mean when you say it?
Read 1 Peter 4:10 in particular. What do you think “varied graces” means here? Is it only spiritual? Does it encompass physical, material, circumstances etc.? Why do you think this?
What difference does an ownership mindset vs. a stewardship mindset make when we decide how to spend our time/time/energy?
The Theme in Song:
I found this version of the hymn this week by Southwestern Baptist Seminary in the States. They’ve played with the timing and syncopation a bit to give the hymn a more modern feel. The arrangement and variety of instruments should give you a different experience from how we would play it on a Sunday morning at UTMC!