All In

Matthew 23 & Luke 20-21

When my husband’s younger brother was a preschooler, so the story goes, he had a particularly busy day, playing and being active.  Near bedtime, he declared to his family, “I’m all ‘shampooed’ out”.  Following the ensuing laughter, his parents agreed he was indeed tuckered out; he was “all in.”

The phrase, “I’m all in” can mean a person is exhausted.  But another understanding of that expression is a person’s declaration that he/she is completely devoted, totally committed, to a cause or endeavor.  “I’m all in to lose the weight.”  “I’m all in to win the championship.”  “I’m all in to elect this candidate.”

If you’re all in, you are going to give it your best effort, give it as much time and resources as possible, give it your all.  You are all in! 

A beautiful example of this idea is found in Luke 21:1-4, the familiar account of the widow’s offering.  Jesus had been teaching in the temple.  The scribes, chief priests, and Sadducees had been questioning him, trying to entrap Jesus when he answered, so they could deliver him to the authority of the governor. 

Finally, they realized their trick questions were not going to work. 

“Some of the scribes answered and said, ‘You have spoken well.’ For they did not have courage to question Him any longer about anything.” (Luke 20:39,40)

In response, as all the people listened, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”  (Luke 20: 46,47)

Among the prideful things that the scribes were doing, was robbing widows of their homes and resources.  The New American Standard and New International Bible versions use the word “devour” to describe the scribes’ actions. 

Devour–“eat up greedily”–“prey upon.”  Not a pleasant picture.

The Living Bible vividly describes it this way. “But even while they are praying long prayers with great outward piety, they are planning schemes to cheat widows out of their property.  Therefore, God’s heaviest sentence awaits these men.” (Luke 20: 46,47) 

 Immediately after Jesus’ condemnation of the scribes, he looks up to see rich men depositing large amounts of money into the offering receptacles.  And then Jesus spots the poor widow. Carefully, she placed two copper coins, the smallest class of currency, into the offering box.  Jesus’ reaction?

“Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their SURPLUS put into the offering; but she out of her POVERTY put in ALL that she had to live on.” 

Jesus saw the widow’s humble gift—two coins that equaled a penny.  How miniscule in man’s eyes. How sacrificial in Jesus’ eyes.  The rich still had their fortunes; the widow had nothing left in worldly goods.  Her pure heart and strong faith would sustain her.  God would provide for her needs. 

The poor widow was “all in.”  

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.”  (Matt. 6:33,34a)

God desires our time, talents, service—to put Him first in everything we do.  The reward will be great. 

As Paul stated at the end of his ministry, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  (II Tim. 4:7,8)

But to those who CLAIM allegiance to God, with a half-hearted commitment, Jesus has sharp words.

 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:15-17)

The pretentious piety of the rich was false—in Jesus’ eyes they were poor and wretched–understandably lukewarm.  The poor widow’s offering, two copper coins, was all she had in the world.  She gave it willingly, trustfully, faithfully. 

She was ALL IN!

Reflection Questions

1. What does it take to truly see the needs of others?
2. Reflect on the widow’s offering, and then put yourself in her place.  Would you have given the two coins? 
3. What can you change in your life to be “all in” for the Lord?