By And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did castin of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living (Mark 12: 41-44).
In Mark 12, Jesus watched closely as people brought their offerings into the temple of God. No doubt many of these people attended church regularly. Similarities were obvious, but Jesus noticed an obvious difference.
Many rich people cast in much, but their offering came out of great abundance. The poor widow gave out of her need- giving it all. We need to “give it all” so that we can belong completely to Him.
The Bible describes people who gave it all to God. These people were human beings with faults, failures, doubts and fears- just like us. By giving their all they overcame the enemy and they overcame themselves. Eventually, they saw God do great things in their lives. Let us look at some of those who gave it all.
Abraham left his homeland and all that was familiar to him. He journeyed to an unknown location simply because he believed God’s promise. Scripture tells us that Abraham became a “friend of God.” Despite what he gave up, he believed there was something far better than anything on this earth. Hebrews 11 describes this clearly:
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:8-10).
Moses, raised in the residence of Pharaoh, gave up a title and position that could have been his. He considered suffering with God’s people to be greater riches than all of Egypt’s treasures. Again, Hebrews 11 gives us insight into Moses’ decision:
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward (Hebrews 11:24-26).
The Apostle Paul was a “Hebrew of the Hebrews.” He was a devout Pharisee headed for prominence in his religious circle. Once he met Jesus, he counted his ethnic and religious standing as nothing. Philippians 3:8-10 records his desire to know Jesus and all that his decision entailed:
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having my own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death (Philippians 3: 8- 10).
I have mentioned three of many who gave it all to live for God. The reality is that when we give our all for Him, we gain everything. Matthew 10:39 says,” He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” The true way to have everything that God has for us is to give all that we have for Him.
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 