She Gave All She Had To Live On - PART 2
The following is part 2 in a 3-part series looking at the generosity of a Binghampton homeowner SOS partnered with several years ago and how it points us to the gospel. While the story is true, the names have been changed to protect the individuals in the story. You can read Part 1 HERE. Terry’s story reminds me of another story from the Gospel of Mark:
“And [Jesus] sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’” – Mark 12:41-44
Terry’s donation is the closest thing I have seen to this kind of generosity. It has really reminded me that the amount we give is not what is important. The COST is.
Following Jesus has a cost. Jesus often speaks of the cost of discipleship (Matthew 16:24; Luke 14:25-33). He tells a parable that compares being a disciple to building a tower teaching us that we should sit down and consider the cost before building (Luke 14:28). Furthermore, Paul says that all who wish to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12).
Even David in the Old Testament understood this principle. There is a time when David is trying to buy some property to build an altar. The owner of the property wants to give it to David. But listen to David’s response: “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24).
It is very true – following Jesus has a cost.
But then – what do we do with all that talk in Scripture about free grace? “For by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not of yourselves” (Ephesians 2:8). “We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16). We cannot earn our salvation. We know that giving a certain amount of money or praying or church attendance does not earn God’s favor. So – following Jesus Christ cannot have a cost.
So which is it – does our salvation have a cost or is it free? What do you think?
Check back soon for part 3 in this series.