Are You All In?
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people
putting their offerings into the treasury
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
He said, “I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” (Lk 21:1-4)
We have all be given much by our God. And we know that we are challenged to give that back to God in faithful service to Him by serving one another.
To a certain extent, we try to do that.
For many people. the “giving back” that they do comes not from their want or their need but from their surplus. Not only would they not give from their want or their need, they would never even consider it.
Today, we celebrate the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Did her parents realize what they were starting when they presented their child to God? Did they have any idea that their daughter would one day be asked to become the mother of Jesus?
No.
All they knew is that God wanted His people to dedicate their children to Him and to raise them to be open to the invitation — to any invitation — that would come to them from God.
However, God wants us “all in”. He wants us to put everything on the line.
That takes a lot of trust.
We can find an example of that kind of trust in Jesus Himself.
Yesterday, we celebrated the Feast of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
He did not receive His Kingship by giving from His surplus. He received His Kingship by giving Himself entirely, by pouring Himself out on the cross. He did what He commended the widow for doing. He put it all on the line knowing that His Father would take care of Him.
God still takes care of His people, you know. He still blesses those who are willing to put it all out there. He still saves those who pour themselves out.
FAITH ACTION: Have you been refusing to do something because it might involve a little sacrifice? Think of the widow, think of Jesus Himself, and put it all on the line today.
Tonight is the second evening of our Forty Hours Devotions and our guest speaker is Bishop Donald Hying. Join us, if you are available, at 7:00 p.m.