Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.
Many rich people threw in large amounts.
But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
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 12:41-44
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When it comes to following God, do we sometimes find it personally easier to deal in generalities than specifics?
For example, the story of the Widow’s Offering in Mark 12 where Jesus praised the poor widow and her gift of two small copper coins. “She, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
I was recently listening to a well-known pastor speak on the passage and this is what he said, “You will notice that this is God’s call to us—that we would give all of ourselves to God.”
That was it. That was about all he had to say about this story. That God calls us to “give our all to Him.”
Now, I don’t disagree with that statement. God does call us to give all of ourselves to Him.
But in this specific story, Jesus praised the woman for giving her last penny to the church! She was praised for a specific action.
The call to “give your all” is WAY EASIER for us to hear than “give all your money to the church.” The more general the command, the easier it is for us to sit back comfortably in our chairs and churches and agree with the statement.
But the more specific it becomes, the more we have to wrestle with the idea that we aren’t actually doing it.
It is easier to hear “give your all,” than it is to hear “give away all your money.”
It is easier to hear “give up anything keeping you from God,” than it is to hear “sell your possessions and give to the poor.”
It is easier to hear “don’t be worldly,” than it is to hear “don’t watch Love Island.”
It is easier to hear “trust God,” than it is to hear “move out of your boyfriend’s place.”
And it is easier to hear “serve others,” than it is to hear “offer to babysit every Monday for that single mother down the street.”
Generalities serve us no good if they don’t affect our specific actions, habits, and decisions. Force them to take root in your daily life.
So yes, give your all to God. All your money, your time, your possessions, your talents, and your pursuits. All of it.
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Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is my desire to follow you fully and be faithful to your call on my life I want to be faithful in generalities, but I also want to be faithful in the details. Through your Spirit, reveal to me today any change you are calling me to make. Amen.