Full Follow

As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely." Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on." Mark 12: 38-44

A Methodist minister tells his favorite stewardship story: "Bishop McCabe, who was trying to raise a million dollars for missions, received in his mail one day many discouraging letters, except one from a little boy. When the bishop opened it, out tumbled a badly battered nickel. In the letter the boy had written: 'I'm so glad you are going to get a million dollars for missions. I'm going to help you get it, too. Here's a nickel toward it! It's all I've got now, but when you want any more, call on me!'"

That is a story of full follow – a willingness to give what one has to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. It isn’t just in material resources, but in the totality of one’s faith. One gives all that he or she has for the gospel. There are no vestiges of the old person holding back. If one is in Jesus Christ as a new creation, they will have nothing that would compromise that new birth and so share that joy with all they meet.

That is what a full follow is – complete singularly focused attention in following no one other than Jesus Christ.

Such is what Jesus observed when a widow gave her limited income, a mite, to the temple treasury. The priests and religious leaders paraded their wealth and pride in making their gifts. But, Jesus praised the widow who gave sacrificially with her all. Her gift was more than a tiny coin, but a “full follow” with God.

Prayer: O God, let our faith and witness be a gift of a “full follow” for Jesus and His Church. Inspire us to fully follow you through whatever means and opportunities we have to serve. In His name we pray. Amen

Rev. Dr. John J. Duling