Romans 4:4-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴ Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. ⁵ And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, ⁶ just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

Mark 12:41-43 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Widow’s Offering

⁴¹ And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴² And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.^[a] 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.

Footnotes:

Mark 12:42 Greek two lepta, which make a kodrantes; a kodrantes (Latin quadrans) was a Roman copper coin worth about 1/64 of a denarius (which was a day’s wage for a laborer)

We get to compare scriptures here for context in order to derive the deeper meanings involved.

In Romans 4 a man’s wages is not counted as a gift but what is due. It is not put on his account towards righteousness as is the one who does not work but rather believes on the One who justifies faith.

In Mark 12 the comparison is between the rich and the poor. The poor widow gave her all. The rich did not find it within themselves to give their all. They had the attitude that it was their money to do with as they pleased. Why would Jesus announce that the widow had given more that the rich man?

The widow literally gave her very life to God, trusting in God for whatever the next day should bring. This footnote identifies her offering as a day’s wage. She gave up the promise of today for the hope of tomorrow.

The rich did not trust God for tomorrow and saw their wealth as a means of living.

Luke 12:20 English Standard Version (ESV) But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’

Romans 6:5-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁵ For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ⁶ We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. ⁷ For one who has died has been set free from sin.

We win our freedom.

Ephesians 2:8 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

This is where a definition of unmerited favor comes into play. We won our freedom from sin by the death of Christ on the Cross. He is the gracious gift from God that by placing our faith in that effectual work, and accepting this free gift, we win our freedom from sin.

Since we have been talking about grace let it be known that while grace has its effect on our relationship with God it also has an effect in our relationship with the lost and our fellow Christians. While grace is an agent of change in us, it must be noted that it is also an agent of change in our behavior outwardly.

Luke 7:46-48 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Being loved by so great a love as His changes how we feel about ourselves and how we feel about others. Her behavior exceeded in love above that of His disciples. They had not thought to do for Jesus what she had done. They waited for the instructions of the master rather than listening to the love they had for Jesus.