How much are you willing to give?

Mark 12:41-44: “Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.’”

The concept of giving our all for a cause is not foreign to our culture. People sacrifice everything they have on careers, ambitions, and lusts. The Olympic athlete gives all he or she has in order to win a medal to keep in a case. The career driven person spends their life going to the right schools, networking with the right people, climbing the corporate ladder to possibly become the CEO. The drug user is driven for his or her passion for the next high. They will sacrifice their families, jobs, and dignity to get the feeling that they long for. Our drive so often describes who we are as a person. Jesus had just finished warning His followers to steer clear of the scribes. The reason for this was that their drive and passion was the very thing keeping them from a holy life. Their passion was to be seen and respected by people for their power. They were driven by making a display of their lives. They lusted after the fine robes and best seats at synagogues and feasts. They wanted to impress people. The problem is they did not impress God.

Jesus saw a poor woman who was worshiping God through her offerings. He saw a woman who was giving her all to the Lord. This woman’s finances were not that much in the worlds eyes. However, it was not the amount that matters most to God, but rather the motive. The rich that gave that day gave out of their abundance. It was not much of a sacrifice for those who were rich to give what they did. However, this poor woman gave her all to God. Why would someone be so irresponsible to give their entire livelihood to God, or to give everything they have to please Jesus? It is because she knew that no matter what she gave God would bless the one who puts Him before themselves. She was poor! Yet, God never promised that He would make her rich for her efforts or that God had a bank account for her if she had enough faith. No, what impressed Jesus was that she gave because her Lord told her that she should give and that doing so would please God. She gave everything she had even though it was a tiny amount.

Today God is asking you how much you love Him, and how much you are willing to give up for His sake. Are you willing to give all you have and all you are to serve Him? Maybe all you have to give is your two mites. This may not seem like a lot to us; however, to Jesus, it is everything.

Tomorrows Readings:
Old Testament: Deut. 11-13 New Testament Mark 13:1-13