Give Him All That You’ve Got

Mark 12:38-44

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

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We’ve all heard people say to give it all that you’ve got.  Whether referring to a task at work, exercise, sports, etc., this is a motto that many truly believe in.  But, it’s also a motto that very few live.  While it’s a simple suggestion, it’s hard to do.  It’s hard to keep up that kind of pace all of the time.  Goodness was never meant to be easy in this world.  Again, while kindness and goodness are free to give, they always often can come at a great personal cost.  Look at what Christ did for us on the cross.  It was simple for Him to surrender to the Jews and Romans of His day to be tried, beaten, condemned, and crucified.  But, it was hard.  It was so hard for Jesus to surrender His life to the world that God sweat blood on the night before His death in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He was so stressed that blood vessels in His forehead actually ruptured and mingled His blood with His sweat.  Now, that’s stress that goes well beyond a migraine headache!?  He could have run away from His crucifixion – or, He could have even brought down a legion of Angels to vanquish His transgressors.  He took, as they say, the road less traveled.  He gave all that He had – even unto His death.  And, He did it for us.  While we will all fall short of the glory of God on this side of Heaven, it is imperative that we continue to be Faithful and give it all that we’ve got.  Especially when it’s hard.  It’s our Faithfulness that leads us to Life Everlasting.  So, let’s be sure to always try our best and then leave the results to God.  God promises to never waste our pain and effort.