giving everything to God
On Sunday I used Luke 20:45-21:4 as my sermon scripture. This passage speaks about the widow who gave everything she had to the Lord. Many times we focus on the financial aspect of this passage. We contrast the widow’s sacrificial gift with the routine gifts of the wealthy. While pastor’s clearly love to talk about money, (actually those are the most difficult and brutal sermons most pastors preach) I think there is much more to this passage than a financial focus.
I think Luke is contrasting the religious leaders in chapter 20 and the widow in 21. The religious leaders had created a religious system that was all about them. Most of what they did, even acting holy, was for their own benefit not God’s. Jesus called them out on this and they attempted to kill him, and they succeeded for three days. The actions of the religious leaders pointed people’s focus on them, while the widow’s actions pointed people’s focus on God.
I think that our religious system in America can easily become like the religious system in Jesus’ day. We can easily appear to be faithful followers of Christ by going to church, volunteering at an event or two, and then giving a check here and there. However, appearing to follow Christ is not what God looks at. God wants us to give him everything. If that sounds extreme, well it is; just as extreme as Jesus giving his life for us. As Christians we need to be willing to give everything to Christ. Our abilities, our talents, our desires, and our finances should all be given to God to do with as he pleases. Don’t get caught up in your appearance as a Christian give everything to Christ and others will see Christ through you.
