What Not To Give To

Today's NT reading comes from Luke 21:1-28. I want us to focus on the first four verses. Often this passage is presented by scholars, commentators and preachers alike as a message on giving. I have even preached stewardship messages from this passage, but have since repented. Is it really a stewardship message? No. Where in the text does Jesus commend the lady for giving all she had? If giving all she had was to be commended, then every week you and I would have to give our entire paycheck to the Lord--100%! But that's not it. Look at the passage again within context. Go back and read Luke 20:39-47 paying close attention to 20:47 'who devour widows houses'. Then Jesus looks up and sees this poor widow putting in all she had -21:2-3. Jesus is disgusted with this corrupt religious system that was built off the backs of poor widows. He saw a corrupt system taking the last two pennies out of this widow's pocket. Want a modern day version? "Send in your seed gift and God will multiply it." "Plant a seed in this ministry and we'll send you a prayer cloth or a vial of miracle water...", so claims the contemporary, televangelist. A modern day corrupt system built off the backs of poor, innocent victims.
You see, this passage is not about Jesus honoring giving. This is about a victim of a corrupt system; A corrupt system that would soon crumble--literally. Read v.5-6. This is not about giving or how much to give. This is about what not to give to--to a corrupt religious system.