The Lord Jesus Christ related the above teaching to His disciples so that they would know how to prepare for His second coming. His teaching applies to our understanding of physical and material sacrifice, including spiritual cultivation and service.
Spiritual Cultivation
Some Christians have received rich and profound truths; yet they need to consecrate their bodies as living sacrifices to God and actively follow the way of the truth. If we do not give ourselves to God’s service, at an unexpected time, Christ will come again to punish those who rest in complacency. Many of us know the Lord’s will, but it is not in our hearts or will to do accordingly. This is a major setback for the church. We need to learn to obey Jesus’ commandments and, when the occasion arises, to bear the suffering of the cross.
Service
Those who have received five thousand need to earn another five thousand, and those with two thousand should earn another two thousand. Then, when our Master calls us to account, He will call us good and faithful servants. This teaches us that whoever receives the Lord’s grace ought to make a full effort to yield a profit that measures up to the gift of grace they have received.
Material Offerings
We need to realize that giving offerings is not for show. Jesus sat across from the place where offerings were made, and watched the crowd put in their money for the temple treasury. When Jesus saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins, he said, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living" (Mark 12:41–44). From this we know that Jesus didn’t stress how much was given, but whether or not one offers with a willing heart.
We often make superficial judgments of people. Sometimes we evaluate others based on their appearances, at other times we judge others out of self-interest. If someone makes a donation, we may gasp at the figure. Jesus doesn’t care for a pretentious show. It only matters how much we are willing to give of what we have received. As Christians, it is vital to remember that for those who have received much, much will be asked. This is God’s unchanging principle. May we live for Him today.
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