As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

1. Clergy on the Catwalk!
2. South America’s Largest Open Air Market
3. Poverty among the elderly
4. How the Offering can be “Spiritual abuse”

1. Why give money to the church?
2. What character traits are most important in a teacher of faith (like the scribes)?
3. What would it mean for the church to defend widows and their houses?
4. In what ways have you felt coerced by the church?

IMAGE

1. Money, by Michael Jackson
2. Beg, Steal or Borrow, by Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs
3. Gimme All Your Love, by Alabama Shakes
4. Walk this Way, by Run-DMC
5. Everything’s Ruined, by Faith No More
6. Wild Goose, by M. Ward
7. My Friends, by The Head and the Heart
8. Blue Sky Mine, by Midnight Oil
9. A Widow’s Toast, by Neko Case
10. All Apologies, by Nirvana

HAIKU

Need nothing/ have nothing, except / for my pride