In our study of Mark we are in Mark 10:21-22; where Jesus commanded the rich Pharisee who said he kept the law to sell everything he had, give it to the poor and follow Him. The man was unwilling to do that because his god was his possessions.

Based on the command Jesus gave in this unique situation we took up a study of the doctrine of the poor.

Last time we concluded with the idea that the mantra of "helping the poor" is often used as a rhetorical veil to advance a hidden agenda and this is what is going on in our country today. Genuine compassion is required for there to be actual interest in helping the poor rather simply than using the poor as a means of advancing yourself.

The only thing that will really help the poor is for them to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation followed by an advance in spiritual maturity from the PMA of Bible Doctrine

This is because of the grace pipeline that is formed for all believers at salvation that provides the poor with the same equal privilege and opportunity for the execution of the protocol plan of God as rich believers.

I also noted that believers can misallocate God's logistical grace provision and make their family poor. Paul discusses this in 1Tim 5:3-16; NET (see notes) where he is specifying to Timothy the widows who the church should provide assistance for.

More on this when we get Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees for their maltreatment of widows by invoking "corban" in Mark 12:40;

James 2:5-6; "Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

v6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court?" When the poor have faith-rest, grace and doctrinal orientation they are often more generous with their resources than the rich.

Mark 12:41-44; "And He sat down opposite the (Temple) treasury, and (Jesus) began to watch the crowd putting their money into the treasury; and many rich people were their contributing large sums.

v42 Now a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, worth a fraction of a penny.

v43 And (Jesus), calling His disciples, said to them, `I tell you the truth, this poor widow put in more money than all the rich contributing to this treasury;

v44 for they all gave from their profits, but she, out of her poverty, put in everything she owned, all she had to live on.'"

This widow was poor but she had great faith-rest. She understood from God's Word that she was going to be alive on this earth as long as the Lord had a purpose for her life and that God was the source of her needs.

She was not concerned about giving her last bit of money. She was not security conscious because her security was the Lord. She did not feel sorry for herself. She was not trying to attract any self-pity.

She was grace-oriented and doctrinally oriented. Personal love for God the Father motivated her. She shared God's happiness and tranquility, had a personal sense of destiny, and was occupied with the person of Christ.

When one gives, it isn't the amount that is given, but the mental attitude regarding the giving. She was giving as an act of worship. And worship doesn't depend on the amount you give. In fact, you can give nothing, have the right mental attitude and God honors it because of the principle of as a man thinks in his heart so he is.

The Lord was not criticizing the others who gave either because there is nothing wrong with giving from your profits in fact that is the normal case for grace giving. This widow's giving was the exception rather than the rule, but it was her free will choice and Jesus recognized it.