Giving Everything - Daily Devotional August 17th 2009

Daily Bible Reading Plan - 1 Kings 12, Jeremiah 38, Mark 12

Giving Everything (Mark 12:41-44)

This past weekend we had a block party at the high rise I live in. People from the church came and BBQed and gave out free food on the 8th floor pool deck. It is was a huge success and everyone seemed to have a good time. The purpose behind the block party is to let people know that we are in the community as we end up talking to a lot of people about Urban. There was one person from our church at the BBQ that was serving like crazy and giving it his all. He was talking with everyone that came through and meeting them. He was also working the hardest out of everyone.

As I observed him and the others blessing the community I noticed that it was not that the others were not giving its just that this guy was giving everything. It was awesome to see because like Jesus in Mark 12:41-44 knowing that the women was pour and gave out of her poverty I know some things about this man that others do not. I know that this individual has been out of work for 4 months and has been living on the streets and sleeping wherever he can find a place. Oh you would never know it when you see him because he takes the best care he can of himself. So as I watched the others, were they serving - yes. But this guy was over the top serving and giving not out of his aboundance but out of his lack and like it was his last day on earth. He truly was giving everything.

Mark 12:41-44 is not a story about money as much as it is about principle. The principle is probably pretty simple and obvious but one that does get ignored. That principle is giving everything. You see it is easy to give your time to something or someone when you have done all the things you want to do and you have and extra moment. It is easy to give some cash to someone when you are rolling in the $$$. It is easy to serve when you have nothing else going on. The one thing that separated this women in the story form everyone else was not the amount that she gave but the principle in which she gave it. She gave everything, not thinking about her self or how she would get her next meal but knowing that giving was the only thing that would bring her break through.

It says in Luke 6:38 that as I give it will be given back to me, pressed down shaken together and running all over. This being the case and the Word of God being true than the women in Mark 12 knew something we should learn from. She knew you can never out give the Giver, so continue to give him everything. We should give our everything in our time, talent and tithes!!!!

How about you today? Where are you at when it comes to giving? Are you giving everything or are you giving when it is convenient? Are you giving of your tithes and offerings as it says we should in Malachi 3, are you giving of your time to others and the body of Christ? What capacity do you serve at celebration services at your church or is it inconvenient for you? Think about it today and think about how you can start giving everything.

Thanks for listening.

Tomorrows Bible reading plan - 1 Kings 13, Jeremiah 39, Mark 13

Dream Big
Ben