Her Whole Livelihood

"And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came...she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood." Mark 12:41-44. The rich and the widow. Both were giving. Both letting go of what they held dear. Both serving by giving. Both offering and worshipping, but they couldn't be more opposite. The rich did indeed give much. Much! I mean much is a lot. They must have felt so good giving so much. Obeying and offering. But then we see someone give all. She gives her whole livelihood. Not much, but all. Not in part, but entire. The rich must have been so scared of losing. Of losing gain, control, and comfort. But she, the widow, believed. She trusted beyond the seen. She believed beyond what made sense. She loved. She didn't just love much, but wholly, with utter abandon, which speaks complete trust. God forbid we be a people who gives much out of fear and our need for comfort. Let us give all out of love and adoration and gratitude. Let us begin to believe He is our provider. He is our inheritance. He is in control. He is worthy of our whole livelihood, not holding even a little back. This is how He gives after all. Aren't you thrilled Jesus didn't just give much or pay for much of our sin or die for much of the world? No, He gave all! Loves all! Died for all! Gave up all! Like the widow and like Jesus, holding nothing back, let's give all. All our hearts' devotion. All our time. All our desires and abilities and talents. All of our energy for Him. To His cause. We can give much and indeed be givers, or we can give our whole livelihood, all we live for, and be imitators of Jesus. (additional reading: Matthew 16:24-26; Ephesians 2:4-7) (song: Worth It All by Meredith Andrews https://youtu.be/Dr01i-bCo5Y)