What does it cost? - 31 March 2010

“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 fraction of a penny.  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44 [NIV]

This is a very challenging story, the story of the widow’s mite; of giving a large proportion of all that she had albeit a small amount in real terms, in contrast to those giving much but worth a fraction of all that they had.

As followers of Jesus we give of our time, our energy, our money, of ourselves; but how much do we ‘deny ourselves’ to follow Christ?  How much do we do what we want first, spend what we want first, and then give to God from what remains?  How often do we go without something to be able to give to the kingdom?  How often do we miss our favourite sports team in action, our favourite soap on TV, our night out with friends, so that we can do kingdom work?

Doing our best for Jesus, loving God with all that we are, should involve thinking of ourselves less, of making ourselves, our wants and desires, less than our number one priority.  We are new creations, living a resurrection life in Christ; can we do that if we think of ourselves as much as we sometimes do?  Does being a follower of Jesus cost us anything?

As the season of Lent draws to a close, we have a little time left to reflect on our relationship with God and how we live out our resurrection lives. God gave so much for us, no strings attached; how much should we be giving back to God. Ask that of God today and pray that he will answer directly to your heart.

Amen