What does giving it all look like?
The Bible contains several examples of people who gave it all. Some of these include:
- Araunah (I Chronicles 21:23)
- Jesus (Philippians 2:6-8)
- Paul (2 Corinthians 12:15)
- The women who anointed Jesus (John 12:1-5; Luke 7:36; Matt. 26:6)
I mostly want to focus on the women women who gave their best when they anointed Jesus. There are at least 3 different “anointings” with oil by women that are recorded in the Gospels. The first occurred in a town called Nain by an unidentified woman (Luke 7:36). She is only identified as a sinner and this anointing took place in the house of Simon the Pharisee. The anointing that John records in John 12:2 was Jesus’ second anointing. The record in John 12:2 was 6 days before the Passover. The third anointing is recorded in Matthew 26:6 and Mark 14:3. This anointing was just 2 days before the Passover.
Giving it all involves:
- Humility (Luke 7:38)
- Brokenness (Luke 7:38)
- Contrition (Luke 7:38) (Psalm 51:17 says the sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite heart)
- Loving much (Luke 7:47) (maybe this is the key to why many just go through the motions)
- Sacrifice (Araunah gave it all. It was his livelihood) 1 Chronicles 21:23
- Good work (something of value, something of beauty –YOU!) Matthew 26:10
- Leaves an impact (Matthew 26:13)
- A living sacrifice (Romans 12:1; Romans 6:13 “offer yourselves to God”; 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Peter 2:5; Colossians 3:4 – Christ who is our life)
Giving it all brings results. When we pay the price, God brings the fire and the desire into our lives (1 Chronicles 21:26). This wasn’t a manmade fire. This was a fire from heaven that consumed the burnt offering. It is like the fire on the day of Pentecost. They paid the price by tarrying in the upper room and God brought the fire of the Holy Spirit into their lives. They were never the same. They had a passion and a burning desire inside to serve God.
Why do people resist giving it all?
- Fear of others (John 12:42-43)
- Want acceptance from others (John 12:43)
- Afraid of what it will cost them (they want to play it safe)
- People get in a rut and can’t get out
- They don’t see the benefit
- Afraid of the pain (it’s going to hurt to give it all, because it rails against your flesh)
It’s time we quit caring about what other people think and give it all to God! It’s time we quit playing it safe. Get off the merry-go-round and get on the roller coaster!
We need to step out of the boat like Peter and know our faith will see us through. We may fail and start to sink, but know Jesus is right there to forgive, save, and lift up.
Serving God costs something. The free gift of salvation will cost you. It will cost you your life; Galatians 2:20 Tweet this
What are you willing to pay?
This radical discipleship is not for the “faint of heart”. Look at those who followed Jesus. Do you think they knew what they were getting into? They left it all to follow the Lord, yet others found it difficult to pay the cost. God wants you, not your stuff. (Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 8:5). This life will cost us something. Not just money, but something of value and significance. It should cost us our life. We were bought with a price. We are not our own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We belong to God. Let’s live our life for Him. Give it all, give everything. Don’t hold back. Pay the price. Can you say with David that “I will not offer burnt offerings to my Lord that cost me nothing?” Are you ready to stop going through the motions?
What is it in your life that is going to cause you to step out of the motions, out of the mundane, and mediocre, and doing just the minimum possible and propel you into the realm of miracles, mighty deeds and into His marvelous light? Are you ready to make a change? Are you ready to give it all? Are you ready to give everything? Are you ready to stop going through the motions? (Read Part 1)
— Keith
Enjoy “The Motions” by Matthew West
Yes. This is what it’s all about. Thanks, Keith.