Mark 10:21
“Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ He said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.’”
Many preachers and teachers of the Word of God have been approached by their listeners about how much to give to the work of the Lord. I would hazard a guess that in most cases the teaching is that we are to give 10 percent. That sounds good, but I do not agree with that view. At least I feel strongly that in the area of giving to the Lord we have tried to get by as cheaply as possible.
Let me use a personal illustration to explain my thinking. I have known my precious wife for almost 65 years. We will be celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary this July. She is my dearest friend as well as my loving wife. If I gave only 10 percent of myself to her it would be hard for her to truly feel that she was my precious one. It is my intention to give her every part of me. I would gladly give my life for her.
With that in mind, imagine what she would feel if I had a small notebook to keep track of all that I possess—time, talent and treasure. In one column I place the name Joyce. Each morning I check to see how much of me that I will give to her that day. Would she feel loved? I don’t think so! She wants all of me just as I want all of her. That is what makes marriage solid—each partner giving their all.
The Lord is eagerly waiting for us to give Him everything. When we say that we love Him, we need to show it by the time we spend with Him and seeking His face to inspire everything we do. More about this tomorrow.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil