Giving it all
by Pastor Mark Gierus
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Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on’ (Mark 12:43,44).
Read Mark 12:38–44
What immediately springs to your mind when you think about giving it all? Do you think about giving 100 per cent of your energy or effort towards something for your work or when you play sport? Perhaps you might be thinking that is the way to live life. Yet, do you believe giving it all is about giving up yourself in service of others?
How often have you heard people say if I had more time, I would volunteer in the community to help others? Maybe you hear people say, ‘If I had a million dollars, I would be able to give more money to help others’?
Jesus was born to give it all. He gave it all for us on the cross at Calvary. He suffered and died for the sins of the whole world – for you and me – so that we might be forgiven, saved and given eternal life in his name. We are set free, so we can give it all for Jesus as we live each day in service of each other.
When we think of the widow, do we assume it is her fault she is poor and, in contrast, think the rich are good people who have it together? The widow in the reading today didn’t give out of what she had to spare; instead, she gave it all. Others in the crowd put in what they had left over from their wealth.
It is a wonderful gift to each of us that Jesus gave it all so that in our selfishness, in the times we only offer a little of what God has first given us and, in our sin, we can come to him and seek forgiveness and a clean heart to give all for our Lord by giving all to others.
Dear Jesus, forgive us when we fail to give our all to others out of what you have first given us. Help us grow each day in you so we can serve with hearts of love and generosity to bless those around us. Help us never overlook the humble work of others who serve in your name, giving thanks for the gifts they bring to build up those in need. In your name, we pray, Amen.
Pastor Mark Gierus currently serves as a Lutheran pastor in Redland Bay, Alberton and Woongoolba in Queensland. He has three beautiful girls aged 8, 11 and 21, and he enjoys hiking with them, going to the beach, singing and jamming, looking after their pets as a family and going on road trips. Mark prays that God will continue to bless you as you grow in him and come to know him more and more through his life-giving eternal word.
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