Loose Change

(brief articles of)

Principles & Practices

David & Debbie Bragonier

Now celebrating our 41st year of serving people and proclaiming biblical stewardship principles through Barnabas, starting in 1984

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In our prior two Loose Change articles, we shared our own recent study of Mark’s gospel. While doing so, we highlight money related passages in green. We then wrote potential applications for our lives today. Here’s the chosen verses and applications from the final chapters, 11-16.

Mark 11:15-17

Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.”

Potential Applications:

·       What activities on our own church campus today could Christ potentially view the same as these “money changers”?

·       To what percentage of activity and programs is our church a “house of prayer"?

Mark 12:1-9

​And He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and put a wall around it, and dug a vat under the wine press and built a tower, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive some of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers. They took him, and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another slave, and they wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. And he sent another, and that one they killed; and so with many others, beating some and killing others. He had one more to send, a beloved son; he sent him last of all to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those vine-growers said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’ They took him, and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-growers, and will give the vineyard to others.

Potential Applications (many are possible, but we will keep it to one business-type):

^·       What testimony do you have related to owning a business and being treated wrongly; and how have you “righteously” dealt with any resulting anger or bitterness?

^·       Since 93% of the workforce are employees, in what ways have we potentially acted like the vine growers? Have we, or are we, treating the owner and/or any of his representatives disrespectfully? Are we doing anything that would hurt or harm the owner’s business, his profitability, or his reputation? If any of this might be true or valid, how do we go and make it right?                                                                            

Mark 12:13-17

Jesus Answers the trap-setting question of the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes

Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? Shall we pay or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at.” They brought one. And He *said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Potential Applications:

^·       How might the IRS or other governmental agencies view our financial decisions as related to paying taxes, honesty, and full disclosure?

·       What is our overall attitude toward paying taxes? Most people work hard for their money. Do we resent giving a portion of it to the government? Do we violate tax laws to counteract taxes that support things we don't agree with? Compared to Roman times, do we think the things government spends tax money on today is better or worse? We would love to hear your thoughts and observations.

Mark 12:41-44

And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.

Potential Applications:

^·       How might our own giving (i.e. ten percent (tithing) or more) be seen the same as the “rich” are viewed in this passage; simply giving from our “surplus”?

^·       To what amount might God be calling us to increase in our own current giving; i.e. over and above our current (monthly/annual) giving level?

Mark 13:1-2

Things to Come

^​As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples *said to Him, “Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.”

Potential Application:

^·       What could we be building or spending our earthly time developing that may not have long-lasting or eternal value?

Mark 14:3-7

Death Plot and Anointing

While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them;

Potential Applications:

·       What are we spending money on, where the cause appears to be important, but where that money could better be used to edify the Body of Christ (His Church), share Christ’s love, and reach the lost?

·       How consistent are we in feeding and caring for the poor; just as Christ encouraged us in these verses?

Mark 15:22-23

The Crucifixion

Then they *brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He did not take it. And they *crucified Him, and *divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man should take. It was the third hour when they crucified Him. The inscription of the charge against Him read, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

Potential Applications:

·       In what ways could we be involved in any actions that could be deemed as “casting lots” or “taking advantage” of Christ (“the King of the Jews”), His Church, or the larger Christian community?

Mark 15:40

There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome. When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

Potential Applications:

·       How can we better minister to the practical needs of those missionaries and ministries that travel around to share Christ and His biblical principles?

Mark 16:1      

The Resurrection

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him.

Potential Applications:

·       What are we doing with our money and resources today that could be deemed, or seen the same as, anointing Christ? Use your spiritual imagination!

The Gospel of Mark challenges all of us on many levels. Chapters 11-16 are no exception. Our prayer and hope are that every reader surrenders to Christ and His Word, and that we all choose to allow the Holy Spirit to mold and change our lives, as God so leads and directs.

For those reading our Loose Change articles who come to the realization that they are not 100% sure of their eternal salvation with God in heaven, contact our office and we will forward you the ABC’s of Salvation. This is a short, simple tool to help you evaluate your eternal destiny and assure that you can be eternally with God and Jesus Christ in heaven. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)

People hearing and learning God's biblical financial principles, and then applying them, discover that it leads to a financial freedom few people truly understand. This does not have to be a financial freedom associated with having wealth. This in turn frees up people and resources to more fully serve God and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your partnership and financial support which helps us accomplish this.