Sacrificing Sacrifice

A Widow’s Offering – Mark 12:41-44

America. Land of the Free. A place where thousands of people flock to in the hopes of making a better life. A country where prosperity is so abundant “the streets are paved with cheese” as Fifel would say. We are blessed to live in such a wonderful nation. As I look back on my blessed life I realize I have never been in need. I mean there were times I “needed” those Reebok Pumps, or “needed” a new stereo system for my ’89 Ford Escort Wagon. But there has never been a time when I went without something I truly needed. I have always had food, running water, a bed, medicine, and clothes. I am extremely grateful for the blessings God has given me in my life. But I wonder if living in the United States has a cost. Has living in such prosperity and abundance caused me to sacrifice sacrifice?

As I read Jesus’ account of the widow’s offering a couple things stand out to me. First the phrase, everyone else gave what they didn’t need (CEV). That phrase haunts me. It haunts me because that is exactly what I do. Sure I give to God. I give offerings of money, time, and other resources. But when I really look at it, I often give out of my abundance and have rarely given what I needed. Very few times have I forced myself to make a decision between giving to God and truly needing something. What’s worse is I give out of my abundance and then pat myself on the back like I did a great thing! “Oh Brent, you are so sacrificial. You put $5 in the offering instead of going to Taco Bell after Church. Good Job faithful servant!” How twisted is that?

In this account the widow sacrificed all that she had in order to give to God. She gave the money she needed in order to live. Her ability for survival is now in the hands of God. That is sacrifice. I realize that perhaps I don’t really know what true sacrifice is. I could explain it to you and even come close to a dictionary definition, but I don’t know sacrifice. Very few times in my life have I experienced it, or even seen it. I recently asked some of my students to give me examples of true sacrifice. About the only good example they could come up with was a soldier giving his life for his country. A good example, but I’m afraid that is the only one Americans know, and very few have ever experienced it. Has living in this country of prosperity made us oblivious to sacrifice? I once heard someone say that America is the only country where our poor are fat! I think American Christians (me included) are missing an integral piece of our faith. Sacrifice is really what the gospel message is built upon. What are we missing when we sacrifice sacrifice?

Better late than never

I've finally stepped into the blogging abyss. After reading people's blogs for a couple years, I've finally started my own. I guess my hesitancy stemmed from thinking no one cares about what I have to say...which is true. But I realized I needed some place where I could think and write. I believe it to be a good discipline, and since I'm not in college any more I don't have nearly as many opportunities to do so. So, here is my blog which will soon be spilling over with my thoughts and spiritual lessons God is pounding into me. Write on...